The arrangement, type, extent, width, grade and location of all streets shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, to topographical conditions and to public convenience and safety, and in their relation to the proposed uses of the land to be served by them. All streets shall meet the following requirements:

A. All streets and roads within the subdivision as well as providing access to the subdivision shall meet the design standards stated in Table 17.16.090 of this section.

B. Residential driveways shall not have direct access to arterial streets or major highways.

C. Local streets shall be designed so as to discourage through traffic. Collector streets shall be designed to afford easy access to arterial or other collector streets or for street continuation to adjoining areas.

D. When a subdivision abuts or contains an existing or proposed arterial street or major thoroughfare, the frontage roads or other treatment as may be necessary will be required for adequate protection of residential proper ties and to separate arterial and local traffic. Screen planting or other means of screening may be required in areas abutting arterial streets or major highways.

E. When a subdivision abuts or contains a railroad right-of-way, controlled access highway or irrigation ditch right-of-way, a street approximately parallel to and on each side of such right-of-way at a distance suitable for an appropriate use of the intervening land shall be provided. Such distances shall also be determined with regards to the requirements of approach grades and future grade separations.

F. Deadend streets are not permitted. Where future street extension is proposed, a cul-de-sac or temporary turn-around of adequate size shall be provided.

G. Half streets are prohibited except where essential to the development of the subdivision and where the city council is assured that it will be possible to require the dedication of the other half of the street when an adjoining property is subdivided. Whenever an existing half street is adjacent to a tract to be subdivided, the other half of the street shall be platted within such tract.

H. Horizontal adjustment of streets to ensure adequate sight distances shall be provided. When street centerlines deflect more than five degrees, construction shall be made by horizontal curves.

I. A triangular "clear vision" area shall be established and maintained on all lots at the intersection of two streets, a street and an alley, or a street and an at-grade railroad crossing, the two sides of which are the street centerlines measured from their point of intersection of a distance of not less than eighty feet on each side. The third side of the triangle is a line across the corner of a lot joining the ends of the other two sides. The maximum height of plantings and/or manmade features shall not exceed thirty inches, except that street trees may be situated in such areas, provided that all branches and foliage are removed to a height of no less than eight feet.

J. Street intersections shall meet the following requirements:

1. Streets shall intersect at ninety degree angles, except where topography precludes and in no case shall the angle of intersection be less than seventy-five degrees.

2. Two streets meeting a third street from opposite sides shall meet the same point, or their centerlines shall be offset at least one hundred twenty-five feet for local roads and three hundred feet for arterials or collectors.

3. No more than two streets will intersect at one point.

4. Intersections of local streets with major arterials shall be kept to a minimum.

5. Hilltop intersections are prohibited, except where no alternatives exist. Intersections on local roads within one hundred feet of a hilltop are prohibited. Intersections on arterial or collector roads within two hundred feet of a hilltop are prohibited.

6. Maximum grade of approach to major highways shall not exceed five percent.

7. Names of new streets aligned with existing streets shall be the same as those of existing streets. Proposed street names shall not duplicate or cause confusion with existing street names. All roads shall be named.

K. Location of collector and arterial streets shall comply with the Columbia Falls area comprehensive plan or any other major street and highway plan adopted by the city and/or board of county commissioners of Flathead County.

L. All roadway improvements including pavement, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and drainage systems shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications and standards prescribed in this title, using materials approved by the city council.

M. Where access to the subdivision will be by an easement across privately owned property, the subdivider must provide evidence that the necessary easement has been acquired and that the easement encompasses the nature and intensity of the use which will result from development of the subdivision.

N. Existing trees and other vegetation shall be preserved where possible. Plantings may be required for buffering, screening or soil erosion protection and are subject to approval by the city council.

O. Street or road signs and traffic-control devices of the size, shape and height as approved by the city council shall be placed at all intersections by the developer or included as part of an improvements agreement. Traffic-control devices shall be consistent with the latest edition of the "Manual of Uniform Control Devices" available from the Montana Department of Transportation.

P. If mail delivery will not be to each individual lot or dwelling within the subdivision, the subdivider shall provide an off-street area for mail delivery within the subdivision in cooperation with the United States Post Office.

Q. If solid waste disposal is not to be the responsibility of individual lot or dwelling owners within the subdivision, the subdivider shall provide an off-street area for solid waste collection which will be conveniently accessible to collection vehicles.

Table 17.16.090

STREET DESIGN STANDARDS