Chapter 12.12 - Frontage Improvements#

12.12.010 - Definitions.#

The following definitions apply in this chapter:

1. "Block" and "driveway" have the meanings ascribed to them by section 5870 of the Streets and Highways Code.

2. "Development" means: a. The erection, construction, modification or reconstruction of any structure upon any parcel of land abutting a public street; b. The subdivision of any land; provided, that the installation of frontage improvements shall be governed by the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act and Title 17 of this code.

3. "Frontage improvements" means sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveways, storm and sanitary drainage facilities, parkway trees and pavement to the centerline of the street, except as otherwise set forth in this chapter.

4. "Public street" means a public right-of-way for street purposes, which is open to the public for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, or which will become open to the public for street purposes upon development of the parcel or parcels of land abutting the right-of-way.

(Ord. 341B §2, 1978)

12.12.020 - Installation or agreement required.#

No permit or approval for the development of any parcel of land abutting a public street shall be issued or granted unless:

1. Frontage improvements have been installed and approved in accordance with improvement standards adopted by resolution of the city council; or

2. The owner of the parcel enters into a written agreement with the city for installation of such improvements and furnishes improvement security in an amount and in a form approved by the city engineer, to guarantee performance of the agreement.

(Ord. 341B §3, 1978)

12.12.030 - Parcels abutting more than one street.#

If a parcel abuts more than one public street, frontage improvements shall be required for each such public street.§

(Ord. 341B §4, 1978)

12.12.040 - Pavement width and length minimums.#

Street pavement of an unpaved street shall not be constructed for less than the full width of the street, and shall not be constructed for less than a block unless such pavement constitutes an extension of an existing paved portion of the street.§

(Ord. 341B §5, 1978)

12.12.050 - Delay by approval—Fee in lieu of installation.#

(a) The city council may, if it finds that practical difficulties or extenuating circumstances exist, or that the requirements of Section 12.12.020 would impose an unreasonable burden on the property owner or permittee, delay the installation of such frontage improvements until such time as more than 50 percent of the total frontage of the block within which the parcel is located has been improved, or until such time as the owners of more than 60 percent of the frontage of the block within which the parcel is located have either agreed in writing to install the frontage improvements or have filed a petition with the city clerk requesting such improvements.

(b) As an alternative, the city council may require the permittee to pay, in lieu of installation of frontage improvements, a fee equivalent to the estimated costs of such improvements at the projected time of their installation, to be deposited in a special account for the construction of such improvements; provided, that such improvements must be constructed within a reasonable time thereafter.§ If the actual costs of the installation of the improvements is less than the amount of the fees paid, the balance shall be refunded to the permittees.

(Ord. 341B §6, 1978)

12.12.060 - Variances.#

The property owner or applicant for a permit to develop any parcel of land may apply to the city council for a variance from the provisions of this chapter. The city council may grant a variance only if it finds that practical difficulties or extenuating circumstances exist, that strict application of the ordinance would impose an unreasonable burden on the property owner or permittee, and that granting of the variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with limitations upon other properties in the vicinity.§

(Ord. 341B §7, 1978)