13.68.020 Purpose and applicability | Everett Municipal Code

13.68.020 Purpose and applicability.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for improvements to public streets, sidewalks and alleys that would be required with development.

A. Improvements Required—Business, Commercial and Industrial Development. No building permit shall be issued by the city for construction of any new building or facility of any kind or description, or in connection with any additions, alterations, or repairs within any twelve-month period which exceeds fifty percent of the current market value of an existing building or facility on the property, unless or until the public streets and alleys upon which the same abuts shall be improved to current city standards. The applicant shall be required to construct street improvements together with all necessary appurtenances.

B. Improvements Required—Residential Uses. Public streets and alleys shall be improved to current city standards for any residential development that results in a total of three or more dwellings, excluding accessory dwelling units. This requirement for street improvements applies to single-family residences, duplex, triplex, multiple family or any combination thereof resulting in three or more dwelling units in total.

C. Sidewalk Improvement Required for all Residential Development Within Sidewalk Priority Areas. This requirement supersedes the development threshold in subsection B of this section. All development resulting in the construction of one or more new residential dwelling units, excluding accessory dwellings, shall provide a sidewalk or safe walking path meeting city standards along the property’s full frontage when located in the “sidewalk priority” area shown on Map 13.68-1. The sidewalk priority area includes the following locations:

1. Metro Everett, as defined in EMC Title 19;

2. Areas within one-quarter mile of a high frequency transit corridor;

3. Areas within one-quarter mile of major arterials; and

4. Areas within one-quarter mile of a public school or public park.

D. Exceptions. The city engineer may allow the property owner to provide interim street improvements, as defined in Section 13.68.010(G) and the administrative guidelines, or to deviate from the requirements of this chapter in the following circumstances:

1. Where a proposed development is subject to a land use permit under EMC Title 19, and conditions have been imposed through the land use review process which are intended to alter, supplement or replace the requirements of this chapter;

2. Where ultimate improvements are not desirable to the city engineer at the present time due to existing severe horizontal or severe vertical grade alignment problems;

3. Where the city engineer is satisfied that adequate street improvements exist except for nominal lacking of street width;

4. Where plans for more comprehensive improvements exist which would alter the ultimate improvements required to be constructed on the public right-of-way abutting the proposed development site;

5. Where the existing street and alley improvements can adequately serve the property in the short-term future, in accordance with the published administrative guidelines;

6. When existing street and/or alley improvements are inadequate or no public street and/or alley improvements exist:

a. Where ultimate improvements are, in the opinion of the city engineer, using reasonable engineering judgment, not desirable, or, in the case of known plans for more comprehensive improvements, encompassing the public right-of-way abutting the site, the city engineer may allow an interim street improvement;

b. In all other cases of inadequate improvements or no public street or alley improvements, street and/or alley improvements shall be required;

7. The addition of a residential garage or carport shall be exempt from requirements of this chapter when such construction is an addition to an existing residential use.

E. All owners of properties shall dedicate additional rights-of-way as necessary to complete the required street improvements in accordance with city standards; provided, however, that the developer shall still be required to meet the appropriate setback requirements as well as all other applicable development standards.

F. All improvements required by this chapter shall be extended as necessary to provide a smooth transition with existing improvements, both laterally across the street and longitudinally up and down the street, for drainage, vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Interim street improvements are defined in the administrative guidelines.

(Ord. 3774-20 § 6 (Exh. 4), 2020; Ord. 793-81 § 1, 1981; Ord. 665-80 § 2, 1980; Ord. 555-78 § 2, 1978.)