HomeMy WebLinkAbout3040 Public Rights of Way Amending 13.02
ORDINANCE NO. 30Lt D
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY,
AND AMENDING AMC 13.02
Annotated to show aeletieAs and additions to 1he code sections being modified. Deletions are
bold .... . and additions are bold underlined.
WHEREAS, Article 2. Section I of the Ashland City Charter provides:
Powers of the Citv The City shall have all powers which the consti1u1ions, statutes, and
common law of the United States and of this State expressly or impliedly grant or allow
municipalities, as fully as though this Charter specifically enumerated each of those
powers, as well as all powers not inconsistent wi1h the foregoing; and, in addition thereto,
shall possess all powers hereinafter specifically granted. All the authority thereof shall
have perpetual succession;
WHEREAS, the above referenced grant of power has been interpre1ed as affording all
legislative powers home rule constitutional provisions reserved 10 Oregon Cities. Citv of
Beaverton v. International Ass'n of Firefighters. Local 1660, Beaverton Shop. 20 Or. App. 293,
. 53] P 2d 730, 734 (1975);
WHEREAS, the City wishes to codify its procedure for granting encroachment permits and
other permits for public works.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 13.02.010 [Definitions] is hereby amended to read as follows:
13.02.010
Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, 1he following mean:
A. Encroach: the act of a private individual extending from their abutting private
property into a public right of wav. public easement or public proDerty,
B. Encroachment: area in a Dublic right ofwav. Dublic easement or Dublic DroDertv
that is being encroached UDon bv a private individual.
C. Encroachment Permit: a revocable Dermit granted bv the Public Works Director
to allow Dermittee to encroach UDon a Dublic right ofwav. Dublic easement or Dublic
DroDerty where comDliance with this chapter can be demonstrated.
D,---Ao Person: Individual, corporation, associaIion, firm, partnership, joint stock.
company, and similar entities.
E. Public Easement: an easement granted to the City for a Dublic DurDose.
including. but not limited to the DurDose of installing or maintaining Dublic or
Ordinance No.
Page] of7
private utility infrastructure for the provision of water. power. heat or
telecommunications to the public.
F. Public Property: real property owned by the City and open to the public for
public use.
G,B, Public rights-of-way: Include, but are not limited to, streets, roads, highways,
bridges, alleys, sidewalks, trails, paths, public easements, and all other public ways or
areas, including subsurface and air space over these areas.
H. Public Works Director: the City Public Works Director or his/her authorized
desil!.nee.
!,&. Within the city: Temtory over which the city now has or acquires jurisdiction for
the exercise of its powers
SECTION 2. Sections 13.02.050 [Encroachments Permits within Public Rights of Way, Public
Easements And Public Property] through] 3.02.100 [Enforcement] are hereby
added to read as follows:
13.02.050
Encroachment Permits.
A, Permits Required for Encroachment; Exemptions.
1: Permits Required. It shall be unlawful for anv person to do any ofthe followinl!.
without first obtaininl!. a encroachment permit from the Public Works Director:
!: Erect or cause to be erected any structure. retaininl!. wall. or fence in a public
ril!.ht of way. public easement. or public property. or
b. Place or maintain any landscapinl!. materials or any type of fill in. over or
upon any dedicated public ril!.ht of way. public easement or public property,
2. Specific Exemptions, Certain encroachments are exempt from the permit
requirement of AMC 13.02.020. Exempt encroachments are those which would
have a minor impact on the Dresent or planned use of the public ril!.ht of way.
public easement or public property and those which are expressly exempted
herein. The followinl!. encroachments are exempt encroachments as Ion!! as they
do not create a vision clearance hazard as defined in AMC 18.68.020:
a. Mailboxes and their enclosin!! structures.
b. Temporary si!!ns and banners permitted by the Si!!n Code (AMC 18.96).
f: Guard/handrails alonl!. edl!.es of driveway approaches. walks. stairs. etc, that
encroach in public ril!.ht of way. and
d. Lawns. plants and approved street trees encroachin!! in public ri!!ht of way
that do not obstruct yisibility for pedestrians. bicyclists and motorists.
3, Additional Exemptions. The Public Works Director may !!rant additional
exemptions as Ion!! as the encroachment does not create a vision clearance
hazard as defined in AMC 18,68.020,
B. Application and Fee Required.
Ordinance No.
Page 2 of7
1. Anv person desirinl!: to locate or maintain an encroachment shall submit an
application to the Director of Public Works, The application shall include a
description of the proposed encroachment and a scale drawinl!: iIIustratinl!: the
nature and extent of the proposed encroachment and its relationship to
adioininl!: properties. If the applicant is not the owner of the property that will
be benefitted bv the encroachment. the owner of the benefitted property shall
also sil!:n the application as a co-applicant. The Public Works Director may
require an actual survey to determine the exact location of any public or private
improvements that will be encroachinl!: in the ril!:ht ofwav.
2. A fee in the amount established bv resolution of the City Council shall be paid at
the time of the application.
Co Review of Application.
The Public Works Director shall conduct a review of the application for an
encroachment permit to determine its compliance with the standards in AMC
13.02.060. and the Public Works Director shall request comments from affected City
departments. utility companies and al!:encies rel!:ardinl!: the impact of the proposed
encroachment.
13,02,060 Standards and Conditions.
The Public Works Director may approve the issuance of an encroachment permit for an
encroachment where compliance with the followinl!: standards can be demonstrated or
specific findinl!:s are made that the standard is not applicable, The Public Works Director
may attach any conditions to the issuance of the permit that are required in any applicable
planninl!: approvals or reasonablv related to ensurinl!: compliance with this section. or other
applicable City codes.
A. Standards for Approval.
1: Horizontal clearances of at least five (5) feet shall be maintained on all sides of
all utilities includinl!: electrical power. communications. sewer. storm drain. and
water. This distance shall be measured between proposed encroachments and
existinl!: or proposed utility lines. manholes. appurtenances. and fixtures.
includinl!: but not limited to fire hydrants. above l!:round transformers. cabinets.
and other structures. Clearances around water meters shall be at least one (])
foot behind and two (2) feet from the sides when measured from the outside
edl!:es of the box. A larl!:er horizontal clearance may be required if utilities
mandate larl!:er clearances for specific structures: for example. additional
clearance may be required in front of electrical cabinets and transformers,
Requests bv utility providers for larl!:er horizontal clearances or additional
conditions shall be considered for inclusion into the permit, The applicant shall
pay for relocation of the existinl!: utilitv lines. manholes. appurtenances. and
fIXtures if this standard cannot be met,
Ordinance No.
Page 3 of7
2. Vertical clearances between utilities and natural landscape materials or
structures placed below or above those facilities shall be the distance required bv
the affected utilities. Conditions requested bv the utility providers shall be
considered for inclusion into the permit.
3. Proposed encroachments. improvements and temporary measures shall not
cover. prevent access to. or block the flow of water into inlets. basins. ditches. or
draina!!.e ways. Gradin!!. chan!!.es shall not otherwise alter the draina!!.e patterns
in the ri!!.ht of way without written approval of a !!.radin!!. and erosions control
plan bv the Public Works Director,
4. Sufficient space for off-street parkin!!.. load in!!.. and pedestrian travel shall be
maintained. The encroachment shall not result in a loss of area needed for
parkin!!.. vehicular maneuverin!!.. or pedestrian travel.
5. It is determined that the requested encroachment is consistent with the current
use of the public ri!!.ht ofwav. easement or public property.
8, Conditions.
L When the Public Works Director determines that allowin!!. the requested
encroachment may subiect the City to potential liability. a condition of permit
issuance shall be the filin!!. with the City Risk Man!!.er of a policv of insurance
and form of policv bv an insurance company licensed to do business in the State
of Ore!!.on. The policv shall protect the City. its officers. a!!.ents. and emplovees.
and the abuttin!!. property owners. lessees and tenants from any and all claims
for injury or dama!!.e to persons or property that mi!!.ht result from the placin!!.
and/or maintenance of the permitted encroachment. The amount of the
insurance policv shall be at least the limits of public body liability under the
Ore!!.on Tort Claims Act. The policv shall also contain a provision that the City
Risk Mana!!.er shall be notified at least 30 days prior to any cancellation of such
insurance. The permittee shall maintain the insurance for the term of the permit
issued. Failure to maintain the insurance shall result in automatic revocation of
the permit,
2. All work within the public ri!!.ht ofwav. public easement. or public property
shall be consistent with en!!.ineerin!!. plans. profiles. specifications. and standards
approved bv the Public Works Director in accordance with City requirements.
3. The Public Works Director may place a limit on the time the proposed
encroachment may be located in or on the ri!!.ht of way. public easement or
public property,.
4. To ensure that encroachments do not contribute to visual bli!!.ht or create a
safety hazard. conditions of permit approval may include a requirement that the
encroachment be appropriatelv maintained.
Ordinance No.
Page 4 of7
5. The City mav impose a chafl!.e for the use of the public ril!.ht of wav. public
easement or public property,
13,02,070 Permit Issuance.
A. The Public Works Director mav approve, modifv and approve. or denv the
application for an encroachment permit,
B. Ministerial decisions do not require interpretation or the exercise of policv or lel!.al
iudl!.ment in evaluatinl!. approval standards. Ministerial decisions include, but are not
limited to. site plan approval of buildinl!. or other specialty permits and final
subdivision and planned unit development plans where there are no material
deviations from the approved preliminarv plans, Because no discretion is involved.
ministerial decisions do not Qualifv as land use or limited land use decisions, The
process requires no notice to anv party other than the applicant. The Public Works
Director's decision is final and not appealable bv anv party throul!.h the normal land
use process, Ministerial decisions mav be appealed as provided in AMC 13.02.040.
13.02,080 Appeals,
The Uniform Administrative Appeals Process outlined in AMC 2.30 shall applv to all
protests of encroachment permits. Failure to strictlv complv with the applicable appeal
requirements, includinl!. but not limited to the required elements for the written notice of
appeal, time for minI!. of the notice of appeal. and pavment of the applicable appeal fee,
shall constitute iurisdictional defects resuItinl!. in the summary dismissal of the appeal. The
Hearinl!. Officer's decision is final and not appealable bv anv party throul!.h anv land use
process. The Hearinl!. Officer's decision mav onlv be appealed throul!.h a writ of review
proceedinl!. in Jackson County Circuit Court.
13.02.090 Revocation of Permits.
All ril!.ht ofwav, easement or public property encroachment permits shall be revocable bv
the City at anv time such revocation would be in the public interest, No I!.rant of anv
permit, expenditure of monev in reliance thereon, or lapse of time shall I!.ive the permittee
anv ril!.ht to the continued existence of an encroachment or to anv damal!.es or claims
al!.ainst the City arisinl!. from a revocation.
Anv permit issued under this section shall be automaticallv revoked if the permittee fails
complv with anv conditions of the permit, or fails to bel!.in installation of the allowed
encroachment within ninety (90) davs after issuance of the permit unless an extension is
requested prior to the expiration of the ninety (90) dav period.
13.02.100 Removal of Encroachment.
Upon revocation. the permittee or anv successor permittee shall. at the permittee's own
expense, remove the permitted encroachment within thirty (30) davs after written notice
has been provided bv the City unless a shorter period is specified in the notice of
Ordinance No.
Page 5 of7
revocation.
If the permittee does not remove the encroachment and return the ril!ht of way. public
easement or public property area to a condition satisfactory to the Public Works Director.
tbe City shall do so and the permittee shall be personallv liable to the City for any and all
costs of returninl! the ril!ht of way. public utility easement or public property to a
satisfactory condition. includinl! the removal of structures and reconstruction of streets
and/or pathways. If the permittee fails to pay the City for the costs incurred after the City
bills permittee. the costs shall be imposed as a lien upon the property. Payment of such
costs shall not prevent the City from pursuinl! any other remedy available at law or
pursuinl! any other penalty.
13,02,110 Liability.
The permittee. and owner of the benefitted property if different than the permittee. shall be
liable to any person who is iniured or otherwise suffers damal!e bv reason of any
encroachment allowed in accordance with the provisions of this section. Furthermore. the
permittee shall be liable to the City of Ashland. its officers. al!ents and emplovees. for any
iudl!ment or expense incurred or paid bv the City. its officers. al!ents and emplovees. bv
reason of the existence of an approved encroachment.
13,02,120 Enforcement.
A, Installation or maintenance of an encroachment in violation of AMC 13.02.010. or
failure to obtain an encroachment permit as required bv AMC 13.02,010. or to
complv with the terms and conditions of an encroachment permit issued thereunder
is hereby declared a civil infraction subiect to enforcement pursuant to AMC
Chapter 1.08,
B. Installation or maintenance of an encroachment in violation of AMC 13,02. or an
encroachment permit issued pursuant to AMC 13.02,020 is hereby declared to be a
public nuisance as defined bv AMC Chapter 9.08. which may be abated pursuant to
AMC Chapter 1.08.
SECTION 3. Section 13.02.050 [Obligations of City] is hereby amended 10 read as follows:
13,02.050 13.02,130 Obligations of City
The exercise of jurisdiction and regulatory control over a public right-of-way by the city is not
official acceptance of the right-of-way for public access and does not obligate the city to open or
improve any part of the right-of-way. Upon improvement of any public right-of-way to city
street slandards, the city shall accept by resolution the improvement and maintain and repair such
improvement to the standard to which it has been improved. For purposes of nuisance-type
ordinances imposing obligations upon property owners, (e.g. snow removal, weeds and noxious
vegetation, sidewalk maintenance) the city shall be responsible for compliance with such
ordinances in public rights-of-way adjacent to or abulling city-owned or controlled real property.
Ordinance No.
Page 6 of7
SECTION 4. Severability. The sections, subsections, paragraphs and clauses of this ordinance
are severable. The invalidity of one section, subsection, paragraph, or clause shall not affect the
validity of the remaining sections, subsections, paragraphs and clauses.
SECTION 5. Codification. Provisions of this Ordinance shall be incorporated in the City Code
and the word "ordinance" may be changed to "code", "article", "section", "chapter" or another
word, and the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered, or re-Iettered, provided however
that any Whereas clauses and boilerpla1e provisions (i.e. Sections 4-5) need not be codified and
the City Recorder is authorized to correct any cross-references and any typographical errors.
The foregoing ordinance was firs1 read by title only in accordance with Article X,
Section 2(C) of the City Charter on 1he ..J- day of //(J'/); ,2010,
,"~d;PT~ 1161' ,2010.
Barbara M. Christensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this /? day of I!Ol/(JlkriOIO.
Reviewed as to form:
Ordinance No.
Page 7 of7