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H. The modification of street requirements for <br />affordable housing. <br />As adopted, the county's existing sidewalk and street requirements provide for minimum <br />construction standards to ensure public safety. According to section 913.09(b)(1) <br />(Subdivisions and Plats) of the LDRs, all subdivisions must comply with the minimum <br />standards set forth in,Chapter 952 (Traffic). While Chapter 952 sets the minimum right- <br />of-way width for a local or residential street at 60 feet, the minimum right-of-way width <br />may be reduced to 50 feet if the street is constructed with a curb and gutter drainage <br />system. In both cases, however, minimum lane widths remain the same at 11 feet. <br />Although there is a higher cost associated with curb and gutter construction than with <br />swale drainage, the reduction in the amount of right-of-way can produce a higher yield <br />for a project. These street right-of-way requirements can be modified through the <br />Planned Development (PD) process. <br />Following is the county's current minimum right-of-way requirement. <br />913.09(b)(1) <br />Minimum street and rights-of-way widths. The minimum street and rights-of-way widths shall be as <br />stated in Chapter 952, Traffic, of the LDRs. The board of county commissioners may require the <br />increase of right-of-way and pavement widths if it finds that the modification in width is consistent with <br />the projected traffic needs and good engineering practice No variance will be granted on minimum <br />right-of-way widths for public streets. Right-of-way widths for one-way streets may be reduced from the <br />above standards as approved by the public works director. <br />ANALYSIS: <br />As structured, the county's minimum street right-of-way width requirements are based on <br />the minimum area needed to accommodate the various improvements that must be <br />located in the right-of-way. Besides travel lanes, sidewalks, and drainage facilities, these <br />improvements include water and sewer lines, gas lines, phone lines, cable lines, and <br />others. Since the referenced improvements must be provided for in the road right-of- <br />way, the county has determined that the minimum right of way width generally must be <br />60 feet for swale drainage roads and 50 feet for curb and gutter roadways. Reductions in <br />those widths, however, may be accommodated via special designs approved through the <br />County's PD (Planned Development) process. <br />Because the county's minimum local road right-of-way width requirement may be <br />modified through a PD process, when warranted, the county accommodates the subject <br />incentive. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />The county's current street right-of-way general requirements are appropriate to ensure <br />public safety, and the County's current allowance for modifications through the PD <br />approval process should be maintained. <br />FACommunity Development\SHIP\AHACWNNUAL INCENTIVE REPORT AND LHAP REVISIONS\2020 Incentives 20 <br />Report\BCC Item Incentives Report\AHAC 2020 report v6 - 12-1-20 BCC Review.doc <br />