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Council debates 66-foot vs. 99-foot right-of-way standard amid Blackhams annexation design
Summary
Staff presented early design concepts for a Blackhams annexation proposing 99-foot right-of-way below the canal and 66-foot above. Council members discussed long-term arterial needs, sewer placement under asphalt and maintenance tradeoffs; council asked staff to include future-artery design choices in the general plan.
Staff updated the council on preliminary design work for a proposed Blackhams annexation and subdivision on 500 North. The design concept presented would require a 99-foot right-of-way on the portion of roadway below the canal and a 66-foot right-of-way above it.
Council members raised questions about whether 66 feet would be sufficient long-term for an arterial that could connect future development to the foothills. Staff explained the rationale for placing sewer lines beneath asphalt (under the roadway) rather than in bar ditches; doing so increases construction cost but reduces long-term issues caused by manholes in swales and avoids water intrusion into manholes.
The council discussed trade-offs: 99-foot rights-of-way provide generous future capacity but are large and may be excessive in some locations; 66-foot rights-of-way are comparable to county standards and can accommodate utilities with proper pavement design. Members suggested staff work with engineering to prepare visual comparisons (60-, 66- and 99-foot cross-sections) and recommended the general plan identify which future streets should be designated arterial. No change to the city's official standards was approved at the meeting; staff will return with more detailed recommendations and illustrations.
