19.53.050 Internal circulation for cottage, townhouses, and multifamily developments.
Internal shared-access drives for cottages, townhouses, and multifamily development are subject to the following standards:
A. Internal shared-access drives must be a minimum of 20 feet wide within a minimum 20-foot-wide easement (if applicable). Alternative designs will be considered in consultation with the Fire Department based on whether fire apparatus can enter the site, location and distance of fire hydrants, provision of fire-suppression sprinklers, and water supply availability.
B. Internal shared-access drives may provide direct access to off-street parking spaces and/or incorporate parallel parking spaces, provided the minimum dimensional standards of AMC 19.64.050 are met. Note that certain parking angles may require wider dimensions than those required in subsection A of this section.
C. Pedestrian Circulation.
1. Sidewalk.
a. When Required. Internal shared-access drives which serve four or more units must include at least one sidewalk on one side of the drive.
b. Dimensions. Sidewalks must be curbed and raised six inches and have a minimum clear width of five feet. Where a sidewalk is adjacent to perpendicular or angled parking, an extra two feet of width must be provided to accommodate parked vehicles overhanging the sidewalk unless wheel stops are installed to prevent parked vehicles from overhanging the curb.
c. Ramps and other accessibility features must be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the current ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
d. The sidewalk must connect to a public street and must minimize walking distances to the extent practical.
e. Use of permeable pavements for sidewalks is required, when feasible.
2. Sidewalks must be separated from structures with at least three feet of landscaping.
Departures will be considered, provided the location and design of the walkway and adjacent building elevation minimize privacy impacts to building residents and enhance the character of the development.
3. Crosswalks are required when a pedestrian pathway crosses an on-site paved area accessible to vehicles. Crosswalks must contain contrasting material (such as concrete) and/or patterns (such as stamped asphalt), excluding painted surfaces.
DEPARTURES will be considered for alternative pedestrian circulation designs that provide an equivalent level of pedestrian safety and comfort. For example, a curbless woonerf (shared street) with special pavement, landscaping, bollards, and other design features may adequately calm traffic speeds and movements. (Ord. 3040 § 2 (Att. A), 2019)