Staff proposes flowchart for residential street standards; council, residents debate costs and fire-code limits

Jennifer (staff member) reviewed the city's existing local street standards and presented staff recommendations for implementing street improvements when private residential development is proposed.

Jennifer told the council that the city previously required full street-width improvements where right-of-way did not meet current standards; staff said the current standard can be a minimum 28 feet of asphalt with curb, gutter and sidewalks, but for small residential homes (under 3,600 square feet) the recommended implementation in many cases would require bringing an adjacent unimproved right-of-way to current street standards by installing a minimum 20 feet of pavement with curb, gutter and sidewalks and any necessary storm improvements from the end of existing improvements to the property line. Jennifer emphasized staff’s intent to balance municipal engineering standards with Oregon Fire Code requirements and livability and to avoid increasing the inventory of substandard gravel or paved roads.

Staff recommended a flowchart to guide consistent, case-by-case implementation. Using three…