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FI Prior to its consideration of site plan standards for road paving, the Board had addressed the paving issue in relation to subdivisions. In December of 1983, the staff was requested to consider the feasibility of requiring all subdivisions to connect to a paved road. Responding to that request, the staff prepared an analysis of the proposal requiring all subdivisions to connect to a paved road. While the staff recommended that all subdivisions other than those located in agricultural areas (5 acre minimum lot size) be 'required to connect to a paved road, the Board decided against establish- ing such a requirement. The Board,. however, did direct the staff to bring the issue back for reconsideration sometime in the future. In addition to those actions, the Board has supported the staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission in their position regarding road paving requirements applied to proposed devel- opments. Although the Board has not formally addressed a site plan appeal on the road paving issue, the Board has indicated that it expects new development to pay its way and to not create or worsen any problems. Absent specific site plan paving requirements, that is the policy that has been pursued by staff. SPECIFIC ISSUES The issue of road paving really involves a number of various sub -issues. First and foremost, of course, is the question of necessity. When and under what circumstances is road paving needed? Related to necessity is the issue of responsibility. Who should be required to pave a road, for what distance, during what timeframe? Finally, there is the issue of fair- ness and equity. Why should one developer pave an entire section of roadway when others share in the benefits without sharing in the costs? ° Necessity of Road Paving Whether the County should mandate road paving at all is the first question which must be resolved. Although the need for road paving varies with the type and intensity of development projects, a number of factors can be identified which relate to all projects to some degree. These include: cost to the County, impact upon drainage systems, safety, convenience, aesthetics, and future improvements. The County reviews proposed development projects for various reasons. Besides considering the public's health, safety, and general welfare, the County requires that development projects meet various standards to ensure that the proposed project will not impose excessive costs upon the County. Unpaved roads on which traffic intensity increases is a potential added cost to the County. On publicly maintained roads where the intensity of use increases either because of an increase in the volume of traffic or ,the amount of heavy truck traffic, there will be a need for additional maintenance by the Coun- ty's Public Works Division. Such added maintenance will then increase the County's cost. Another factor supporting the need for road paving is drainage system impact. On unpaved roads with heavy traffic volumes, the stormwater runoff is often loaded with dirt and sand. Upon entering the drainage system, this sand can impede drainage flows causing either local drainage problems or siltation in major canals. In either case, the impacts can result in higher public costs. 27 BOOK 62 F'A E 613