The city has recently updated the subdivision
ordinance. A number of changes were made
to provide for better design requirements which accomplish a better end
product. One such end product is the
establishment of Drainage and Utility Easements to be dedicated on the final
plat.
It is common to have these platted. They occur along lot lines allowing the city
or other utilities to work in the setback areas of lots to provide utility services
or fine tune drainage needs that were not expected at the time of design. In establishing the requirement a 6 foot
easement was required on either side of an interior lot line and a 12 foot
easement was required around the perimeter of the plat (outside edges).
The city ran into problems with the perimeter easements in
that most residential zones have a required side yard setback of 10 feet. Having a 12 foot easement would require an
additional 2 feet of setback for those lots that exist around the perimeter of
the plat. This creates an inconsistency
and is problematic in that some areas would require 12 feet side yard setback
and others would require 10. Keeping
track of when to use what setback creates uncertainty. The interior lots with a 6 foot on either
side of the line easement would not create a problem with a 10 foot setback but
consistency was felt required.
The Planning Commission reviewed the required Drainage and
Utility Easement. They felt it should be
standardized to establish consistency and recommended that change. The City Council agreed with the change and
it was adopted at the June meeting.
