Cortez Land Use Code for October Meetings - Staff Review

Hmmm... If it is all low-water-use, drought-tolerant landscaping, why would we use the cost to maintain grass? Further, our cost to maintain a patch of grass is not accurate for a smaller, remote location where there is a lot of wasted load-in/load-out time. Suggestion: P&R shall make a maintenance estimate based on the proposed design.

It can be verified by getting a contractor's price estimate. We contract in most of these areas now anyway.

walkways, open space, drainage areas,

What about the improvement costs of parks and trails? The general philosophy is that new development shall pay to maintain infrastructure for their new residents. This is true for utilities, roads, AND PARKS. We need to include an in-lieu development fee for parks and trails.

This is incredibly low!

The parks and recreation director shall have the discretion to determine whether property dedication or a fee in lieu is desired. Whether or not we want parks or trail space depends highly upon the subdivision's location and need within the area. Further, functional parks and trail space should be separated from generally unusable open space as described in 4.06.2B3, which the subdivision should maintain.

Hmm... I wonder about adding a paragraph to discuss the potential of trails within arterial or collector street ROW. In California, we had a designation of a Class 1 Trail, meaning that it was separated by a curb at least from the traffic lane. Perhaps, we should include a description of ped/bike options.
As I recall:
1. Class 1 - separated from traffic lane by a curb minimally
2. Class 2 - Widened sidewalk adjacent to traffic lane
3. Class 3 - On street bike lane or bike boulevard
4. Class 4 - Green lane, completely protected and separated bikeway, painted green

This is a PW issue to address. However, it appears the alleys in new subdivisions are unnecessary. In the current neighborhood design, all utilities are in the streets, and PW prefers trash receptacles in front of homes rather than streets. I am wondering if this is a design standard that needs to be retired moving forward. Like my previous comments, alleys are where undesirable activities occur. The more we can discourage them, the better.

Hmm... Interesting idea, but functionally, how does this work? Who maintains it? How can CPTED issues be addressed? Unless they are truly purposeful and meaningful and get someplace, they become areas where undesirable activities occur. Is there a practical application you can point to?