17.35.010 - Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to:

(1)

Enhance pedestrian and vehicular connectivity between residential areas and to surrounding uses and amenities;

(2)

Provide safe and attractive streets for residents;

(3)

Create cohesive neighborhoods designed around centralized park or open spaces;

(4)

Create walkable neighborhoods;

(5)

Create community open space amenities which lend identity to a neighborhood and are used by its residents in many ways;

(6)

Create a system of parks that are accessible and interconnected, providing a greater amenity to the community;

(7)

Retain sensitive natural areas and other unique natural features as community open space.

(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).

17.35.020 - Standards.

The following standards apply to all residential subdivisions and development unless otherwise noted:

(1)

Neighborhood Units. Large new developments (more than twenty acres) should be designed with cohesive neighborhood units—where all residents are no more than one-quarter-mile walking distance from a central neighborhood park or square and if permitted, neighborhood service uses. Such neighborhood units should be connected to other neighborhood units by residential streets and pedestrian paths so that several smaller areas can support communitywide services, such as an elementary school. Neighborhood units should not be bisected by a collector or arterial road. Traffic speeds should be no higher than thirty-five miles per hour on residential streets. Main pedestrian paths or streets into a neighborhood should be treated as gateways with special landscaping, signage, or other identifiable features;

(2)

House and driveway design. The following standards apply to new developments with more than four lots;

(A)

Design driveways with minimum amounts of impervious surface and minimum presence on the street to retain green-space and reduce surface water runoff. Driveways must meet the following standards:

(i)

Except for driveways shared by two residences, the maximum width of driveway at the front property line is twelve feet. If automobile access is from the alley, the maximum width at the rear property line is eighteen feet,

(ii)

Driveways and vehicle circulation pavements shall be the minimum size, necessary to accommodate vehicle storage and circulation. The county may require that pavement dimensions be modified to reduce impervious surface. Applicants are encouraged to use pervious materials, where feasible, such as split pavements with lawns or unit pavers in the center of the driveway,

(iii)

Developments of more than ten dwelling units shall feature shared driveways for at least fifty percent of the residential lots;

(B)

Design homes that minimize the impact of garages on the street and enhance the sense of neighborhood. Specifically:

(i)

All homes should include a porch or covered entry facing the street,

(ii)

Garages visible from the street shall be setback at least five feet further than the front wall of the house facing the street;

(3)

Street Network. The following standards apply to new developments with more than four lots:

(A)

The street pattern for new residential development shall emphasize a connected network of streets rather than long irregular loops with dead-ends and cul-de-sacs. Such a network will provide better traffic flows, orientation, and shorter trips through the neighborhood. Intersections should occur at no more than four hundred foot intervals;

(B)

The street pattern should be adjusted for existing topography and other natural features, while maintaining interconnections and function;

(C)

Streets should interconnect neighborhoods. At least thirty-three percent of streets should be through streets;

(D)

Allow for future connections where topography permits a street to be extended in the future;

(E)

Consider alleys in the design of a street system—which have proven useful in reducing on-street parking pressure and pedestrian/driveway conflicts. Alleys are also the most appropriate location for utilities and other service facilities. Alleys also enhance the appearance of the street since garages will be located at the rear of homes;

(4)

Street Design. The following standards apply to all public streets in residential areas:

(A)

Residential streets shall be designed per Table 4;

Table 4

Residential street design standards

(B)

The county may approve an alternative street design where the applicant can demonstrate that such alternative design achieves the following:

(i)

Enhances safety for pedestrians and vehicles,

(ii)

Provides durable construction but reduces environmental impacts (i.e., more impervious surface),

(iii)

Street design is appropriate for site given existing topography and vegetation,

(iv)

Street design is consistent with the purpose of this section and is sufficient to accommodate the projected traffic;

(5)

Sidewalks and Trails. The following standards apply to all new residential development with more than four lots unless otherwise noted:

(A)

New development should be integrated with, and expand Belfair's system of community-wide trails (see Figure 6);

(B)

Sidewalks or pathways should be provided along public streets per Table 4 above;

(C)

The paving surface on all pedestrian paths should be appropriate to their use:

(i)

Concrete for sidewalks,

(ii)

Seamless materials like asphalt for bike/skating trails,

(iii)

Crushed gravel for nature trails,

(iv)

The county will consider alternative materials where the applicant can demonstrate that the material is appropriate for the projected use, durable, and easily maintainable;

(D)

All multi-lot developments over twenty acres should provide bicycle pathways or routes—especially if they connect with the planned community wide trail system;

(6)

Parks and Open Space. The following guidelines apply to all residential subdivisions with more than twenty-five lots and all multi-family development unless otherwise noted:

(A)

Develop a variety of public open spaces in every community to provide for a variety of natural conditions and neighborhood uses. Recreational open space is critical for the needs of a community, particularly for its youth. All neighborhood units identified in subsection (1) above should integrate facilities for sports and recreation, bike trails and tot playgrounds. Specifically:

(i)

Pocket parks or squares are generally at least one-half acre in size and should be set aside for every seventy-five dwelling units, in addition to neighborhood parks noted below. These spaces should have neighborhood landmarks such as a fountain, monument, bandstand, and/or other similar element to create a focal point and organize other park elements like lighting, landscaping, and furniture. Landscaping elements should generally not restrict gathering and circulation. Integrate the pocket park or squares into the pattern of neighborhood streets around it. At least sixty-six percent of the perimeter should be visible and accessible from streets to make them safer places. Parking should be on adjacent streets and not within the park itself,

(ii)

Neighborhood parks required for larger developments of over one hundred units. These parks are generally over an acre, but less than two acres in size and support informal recreational needs such as small fields for kicking a soccer ball or playing Frisbee. Other uses could include more passive recreation such as strolling and reading. Neighborhood parks should also include a small children's play area. At least thirty percent of its edges should front on, and be accessible from local streets with sidewalks. Neighborhood parks should be accessible by side walk or walking path from all residences served. The parks should be within one-quarter-mile walk or bike from all residences in its neighborhood and should be sited at highly visible locations from within the neighborhood. Local streets should accommodate parking,

(iii)

Community parks serve several neighborhoods and up to five thousand residents. These parks demand greater care in siting and can adjoin schools or amenities like lakes. Such parks should include sports courts, field sports, children's play area, picnic area, public restrooms, passive recreational areas, landscaping, and walkways. Most access should come by walking or bicycling, but provisions for off-street parking should also be made.

Figure 27. An example of a community park.

(iv)

The county will consider alternate means of providing parks and recreation as long as they meet the intent of the standards:

a.

Providing off-site facilities for smaller developments,

b.

Contributing to county park and recreation funds,

c.

Setting aside land for future park development;

(A)

The county may require retention of existing natural features such as high points, ponds, wetlands, or streams as community open space. Concentrate development on the land of least natural value. Preserve existing natural landmarks such as significant trees to the extent possible. Incorporate passive recreational features such as footpaths into natural areas, except where access conflicts with important habitat resources.

(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).