Residential Sidewalk Development
Policy
Council Goal-Setting Workshop -Agenda Item 03.A-6
By: Benjamin A. Fine, P.E.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Meeting Date: February 16, 2024
Background
•Council’s dedication to
walkability
•Shell Beach Streetscape
Multimodal Path
•Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
•Hinds to Oceanview Sidewalk
•Sidewalk under US 101 @ Spyglass
•Ventana Drive Median
2 Background
3 ROW Required for Sidewalk
4 Minimum 24 feet – not ideal (Sidewalk on one side of street) Set Back Set Back
ROW Required for Sidewalk
5 Realistic minimum – 43 feet (Sidewalk on one side of street) Set Back Set Back
ROW Required for Sidewalk
6 Recommend minimum – 48 feet
Set Back Set Back
Public Improvements
•Built by developers
•Streets and Highways Code 5610
The owners of lots or portions of lots fronting on any portion of a public street or place when that street or place is improved or if and when the area between the property line of the adjacent property and the street line is maintained as a park or parking strip, shall maintain any sidewalkin such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property and maintain it in a condition which will not interfere with the public convenience in the use of those works 7 Residential Sidewalks
•City does not construct
residential sidewalks
•October 7, 2014 –2014/15
Paving Project
•Constructed a sidewalk on Longview
Avenue and Wadsworth Avenue
•Council made clear this was a “Safe
Routes to School” project
8 Residential Encroachments
•Current Council direction
•September 7, 2021 –Limit encroachments
•Palomar Ave Project
9 Council Inquiry
•Oct 4, 2022 –Council inquired about a landscaping
project that was thought to be conditioned to install
sidewalk
•Project applicant was told they would need to install drainage improvements, but no sidewalk
•Council directed staff to bring back the sidewalk policy for review
10 Current Requirements
Council Direction
•Nov 1, 2022 –Council directed that new sidewalk be installed in the following conditions:
•New development –this is development of a vacant lot
•Redevelopment –this is a dwelling that is torn down, and a new dwelling is built in its place. •50% renovation/addition –This is an addition to a dwelling and/or remodel of a dwelling when the total square footage being added and/or remodeled equals 50% or more of the “existing” dwelling. •Accessory Dwelling Units shall NOT be included in the calculation for the requirement of sidewalk. If a remodel includes a 50% renovation/addition, excluding the ADU, sidewalk would still be required. •Sidewalk shall not be required where not feasible, i.e. not enough right-of-way. 11 Current Requirements
Long Standing Policy
•Sidewalk is currently required for projects that include:
•Meet Council’s current direction
•Relocation of existing curb and gutter
•Relocation of existing driveway approach
12 Current Requirements
•April 2014
•C-12 Pedestrian Circulation
•Sidewalks shall be required for all new developments in residential and commercial areas. Normally the sidewalk shall be located so that a landscape strip or trees are located between the sidewalk and the vehicle travel way. Techniques shall be encouraged to create a pleasant walking experience including concern for views, paving materials, landscape, street furniture and pedestrian scaled lighting. All new sidewalk area shall be designed to accommodate the handicapped.
13 Current Requirements
•November 1992
•C-13 Pedestrian Circulation
•Sidewalks shall be required for all new developments in residential and commercial areas. Normally the sidewalk shall be located so that a landscape strip or trees are located between the sidewalk and the vehicle travel way. Techniques shall be encouraged to create a pleasant walking experience including concern for views, paving materials, landscape, street furniture and pedestrian scaled lighting. All new sidewalk area shall be designed to accommodate the handicapped.
14 Current Requirements
•Adopted Resolution No. R-2017-013
•Single-Family Design Standards and Guidelines
•SP S.1 (Page 7)
•Where a new single-family structure is proposed on a lot without curb,gutter and/or sidewalk improvements within the street right-of-way,the City shall require the installation of one (1)or all of these improvements as part of a project approval.Permeable pavers,decomposed granite or decorative pea gravel shall be provided within the street right-of-way in instances where the installation of a standard sized sidewalk is determined to be infeasible due to lot size limitations to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works .Changes to existing drainage patterns shall not be altered in a way that would negatively affect neighborhood properties.
15 Current Requirements
•Multi-Family Design Standards and Guidelines
•SP S.1 (Page 19)
•Where a new multi-family development is proposed on a lot without curb,gutter and/or sidewalk improvements within the street right-of-way,the City shall require the installation of one (1)or all of these improvements as part of a project approval .Permeable pavers,decomposed granite or decorative pea gravel shall be provided within the street right-of-way in instances where the installation of a standard sized sidewalk is determined to be infeasible due to lot size limitations to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works .Changes to existing drainage patterns shall not be altered in a way that would negatively affect neighborhood properties.
16 Further Questions on Width
•At the November 1, 2022, Council meeting, the City Council asked staff to bring back a list of streets that cannot accommodate sidewalks. •Necessary right of way for sidewalks:
•Minimum 30’
•Two 11 -foot travel lanes
•Two 4 -foot sidewalks
•Realistic 48’
•Two 11 -foot travel lanes
•50’ ROW if 12-foot travel lanes are desired
•Two 8 -foot parking spaces
•Two 5 -foot sidewalks
17 ROW Less Than 50 Feet
Street ROW (Ft)Street
Width (FT)
Boeker Ave 40 33
Placentia Ave 40 25
Castaic Ave 40 28
Santa Fe Ave 40 29
Esparto Ave 40 24
Wawona Ave 40 32
Capistrano Ave 40 24
Ocean View Ave 44 –52 35
18 Street ROW (Ft)Street
Width (FT)
Park Ave 40 –43 29
Addie St 40 29
Shaffer Ln 20 19.5
Hanford Ave N.30 14 –26
Baxter Ln 30 20 –30
Delano St 40 27
Merced St 40 25.5
Longview
(Tulare to Top)
40 25 –26
Conclusion
•Requiring sidewalk
•Makes neighborhoods more walkable in the long run
•Places a greater financial burden on property owners
•Creates pockets of isolated sidewalk for a while
•Staff is seeking Council’s direction
19 Questions
Other Agencies
•Addition of any room other than a bathroom
•Construction of any detached structure larger than 120 square feet •Conversion of 25%or more unconditioned space (garage,shed,etc.)to conditioned space
•Addition of 50%or more to a structure that is 999 square feet or less or the addition of 500 square feet to structures 1,000 square feet or larger •Addition of 40%or more of the existing habitable square footage or 500 square feet,whichever is greater
•Any addition of 100 square feet or more
•Significant remodel modifying 35%or more of a structure,whether or not square footage is added
•Remodel where alterations remove or modify 50%or more of exterior walls or remove or modify more than 50%of the roof framing •Agencies with a hard percentage or square foot threshold reported “gaming of the system”21
Current Right of Way Widths (Shell Beach)
Street ROW (Ft)Street Width (FT)
Cliff Ave 60 24
Ocean Blvd 60 25 (Near Cliff)
29 (Near Santa Fe)
Pearl St 50 34
Water St 50 21.5 –33
*Seaview Ave 50 33
*Palisade Ave 60 38
Pier Ave 50 29
*Leeward Ave 50 36.5
Windward Ave 50 37
*Boeker Ave 40 33
Placentia Ave 40 25
*Castaic Ave 40 28
Santa Fe Ave 40 29 22
Street ROW (Ft)Street Width (FT)
*Esparto Ave 40 24
Wawona Ave 40 32
Capistrano Ave 40 24
Palomar Ave 60 24
Montecito Ave 60 25
Morro Ave 60 26
Vista del Mar 60 35
*Terrace Ave 50 37
*Shoreline Dr 50 35
*Park Pl 50 20
*Coburn Ln 60 35.5
*Ruby Ct 50 31
*Seacliff Dr 60 35
* Some or complete sidewalk
Current Right of Way Widths (Shell Beach)
Street ROW (Ft)Street Width (FT)
Paddock Ave 50 31.5
Baker Ave 60 35
Naomi Ave 50 31.5
Solano Rd 50 35
Spyglass Dr 50 35.5
23