§ IV. Geometric standards for development.
1.
Lots
(a)
In a subdivision within the City of Natchitoches, the minimum area shall conform with the comprehensive zoning ordinance.
(b)
All side lines of lots shall be at right angles to straight street lines, unless a variation to this rule will give a better street and lot plan.
(c)
Corner lots shall have extra width of at least twenty (20) percent to permit the establishment of greater building lines on the side of lots adjoining the side streets.
(d)
Lots on major street intersections and at all acute angle intersections which, in the opinion of the planning commission, are likely to be dangerous to the traffic movement shall have a radius of twenty (20) feet at the street corner.
2.
Blocks
(a)
No blocks shall be longer than one thousand six hundred (1,600) feet between street lines. For blocks over eight hundred (800) feet in length the planning commission shall require a paved crosswalk near the center of the block with a minimum right-of-way width of ten (10) feet where the nearest portion of the block is within one thousand six hundred (1,600) [feet] of an existing school.
(b)
Where it is desired to subdivide a tract of land which because of its size or location does not permit an alignment directly related to a normal street arrangement, there may be established one (1) or more "Places". Such a "Place" may be in the form of a court, a street with a cul-de-sac or other arrangement; provided, however, that proper access shall be given to all lots from a dedicated street or court. A turning circle as described in section IV, paragraph 3(c) of these regulations, shall be required at the end of dead-end streets which provide access to subdivided lots, when the dead-end streets exceed two hundred fifty (250) feet or the width of two (2) lots in length.
3.
Street and Alley Rights-of-Way
(a)
Major street rights-of-way shall conform to the widths designated on the major street plan as adopted by the planning commission and all subsequent amendments and additions thereto.
(b)
All streets (other than major streets) shall have a minimum right-of-way width of sixty (60) feet.
(c)
Turning circles (cul-de-sacs) at the end of dead-end streets shall be open spaces, preferably circular, equivalent to a circle having a right-of-way radius of sixty-eight (68) feet, with a minimum inside turning radius of thirty-five (35) feet.
(d)
Alleys shall have a minimum right-of-way width of twenty (20) feet.
(e)
Where a subdivision or resubdivision adjoins or abuts an existing street with less right-of-way than those required under (a) and (b) above, there shall be a dedication by the developer equal to half the required width measured from the center of the existing right-of-way.
(f)
Boulevards shall have a right-of-way of at least one hundred (100) feet wide.
4.
Servitudes
Where alleys are not provided, a servitude of not less than seven and one-half (7½) feet in width shall be provided along all interior rear lot lines; however, in a case where the rear lot line is also the subdivision boundary line a servitude of not less than fifteen (15) feet in width shall be provided where necessary for poles, wires, conduits, drainage ditches, storm and sanitary sewers, and other utilities, if desired. Where the contour of the land requires a drainage ditch in the same servitude with utilities a width of servitude shall be required sufficient to serve all of the necessary drainage. Wherever it is necessary to install sanitary or storm sewers, utilities or drainage ditches along side lot lines or across lots, a sufficient servitude shall be required to contain the necessary services as determined by the director of utilities for the City of Natchitoches.
5.
Space Allocations for Utilities in New Subdivisions
Certain locations within the street right-of-way and servitudes shall be designated for the construction of subsurface drainage, sanitary sewers, electrical distribution lines and public utilities, to minimize conflicts and facilities the construction, maintenance and operation of these various facilities. Where feasible, all utilities shall be installed below the ground.
(a)
Storm drainage pipe and electrical service, whether overhead or underground, shall be located within the street right-of-way. A servitude and easement, not less than five (5) feet in width, shall be dedicated by the developer or owner for all other utilities such as gas lines, telephone and cable TV lines. Private utilities shall not be located in street rights-of-way, unless specifically approved by the planning commission, director of utilities, and the director of public works.
(b)
Special servitudes may be required for outfall purposes or interconnections within the subdivision.
(c)
Water lines shall be located in the street right-of-way.
(d)
Sanitary sewer lines shall be located in the street right-of-way. Special servitudes may be required for interconnections within the subdivision.
(e)
Street light standards shall be located on either side of the street or in the center of the median strip of boulevards.
(f)
Electrical underground service conductors shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of section 30-19 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Natchitoches.
6.
Location of New Streets in Relation to Existing and Proposed Streets
The arrangement of streets in new subdivisions shall make provision for the continuation of the principal existing streets in adjoining areas (or their proper projection where adjoining land is not subdivided) insofar as they may be deemed necessary by the planning commission for public requirements. The street and servitude arrangement must also be such as to cause no hardship to owners of adjoining property when they plat their own land and seek to provide for convenient access to it. In general, provisions should be made for through streets at intervals of approximately one-half mile or less and offset streets avoided. In cases where the subdivision includes or adjoins an existing or proposed street of less width than the minimum widths established herein, the planning commission shall require the dedication of right-of-way width of sufficient width to conform to the standards set forth in section IV, paragraph 3.
7.
Street Names
Two (2) suitable street name signs as approved by the planning commission shall be placed by the developer at all street intersections, at locations in accordance with the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Federal Highway Administration)." The proposed street names shall be checked against duplication of street names and approved by the planning commission.
8.
Drainage
Wherever drainage channels exist or are provided within the subdivision, rights-of-way shall be dedicated on either side of such drainage facilities for maintenance and construction. The width of such dedicated rights-of-way shall be determined by and the design shall be approved by the City of Natchitoches or their selected representatives, based upon established criteria after review of the drainage requirements of the subdivision and the master plan for drainage and consultation with the engineer designing the subdivision.
Lots created along drainage channels shall not encroach on drainage servitudes or rights-of-way and all such servitudes or rights-of-way shall be excluded from lot area.
10.
Building Lines
Building setback lines shall be no less than those required by the comprehensive zoning ordinance.
(Ord. No. 28-1995, § 1.2, 5-8-95; ; Ord. No. 09-1997, § 2, 2-24-97; Ord. No. 70-1998, § B, 8-10-98; Ord. No. 14-2004, § 5, 3-22-04)