20230491 Ver 1_11_subdivision_standards_031523_20230627

General Provisions
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Chapter 11. Subdivision Standards
11.1. General Provisions....................................................................................................................................................................1
11.2. Recreational Open Space.........................................................................................................................................................2
11.3. Circulation and Connectivity.................................................................................................................................................. 8
11.1. General Provisions
A. Maximum Development Density. The maximum development density per gross acreage of a subdivision shall be
as established per zoning district as detailed in Table 11.1 (A) below.
DevelopmentTable 11.1(A) Maximum
DevelopmentMaximum
GrossDistrict Per _
RT .5 unit/acre
RR1
1 unit/acre
GR3
3 units/acre
GR8
8 units/acre
UR12
12 units/acre
RNIX
18 units/acre
NNIX
no maximum
TC
no maximum
HB
not applicable
BO
not applicable
MI
not applicable
B. Required Distribution of Uses. The minimum and maximum required distribution of uses shall be as detailed in
Table 11.1(B) below and shall be calculated as the net development area which excludes street rights -of -way and
dedicated open space as detailed in Section 11.2.
DistributionTable 11.1(B) Required of
Use Type MOJI
Dwelhn -Du lex/Townhouse
DistributionMinimum
10%
Maximum
. •
40%
Dwelling -Multifamily
5%
40%
Dwelling -Single Family
15%
60%
Mixed Use*
10%
100%
,Lodging/ Office/ Service/ Retail/ Restaurant/ Entertainment/ Recreation*
5%
1 20%
Civic/Institutional* t:tAs
determined by
the Town Council
*Minimum and maximum distribution requirements shall apply only to nonresidential
both residential. non
subdivisions
or subdivisions with
Town of Knightdale Chapter 11 — Subdivision Standards
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Recreational Open Space
11.2. Recreational Open Space
A. Purpose and Intent. Open spaces are characterized by the fact that the outdoor space has some recreational,
ecological, and/or aesthetic value. Open space generally includes but is not limited to: outdoor areas not covered by
buildings, structures, parking lots, "dry" stormwater detention facilities, public rights -of -way, or required setbacks.
Specifically, recreational open space is distinct from those areas that are ecologically significant and must be
protected in their pristine state in that it is designed to supplement the human habitat through its use and
enjoyment. While Chapter 9 addresses the requirements related to areas of ecological value, the intent of these
requirements is to allow for the active or passive usage of centrally located land as neighborhood recreational open
spaces available to the public, and not to permit the use of leftover or otherwise unusable land to fulfill the
requirements of this Chapter.
B. General Provisions.
1. Consistency with Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Areas noted on any adopted Parks and Recreation
Master Plan as open space shall be incorporated into developments where applicable.
2. Location and Improvement. Recreational open space shall be planned and improved to provide focal points
for a neighborhood and are centrally located so that they are accessible and usable by persons living within a
half (1/2) mile walking distance. A central square or green, for example, may comprise a majority of the area
required for dedication. Improved shall mean cleared of underbrush and debris and containing active or passive
enhancements as described in Section 11.2 (C)(7).
3. Preservation of Natural Aesthetic Features. Significant stands of trees, stream bed areas, and other valuable
natural aesthetic features shall be preserved within the recreational open space areas where practical.
4. Placement of Amenities. Recreational open space amenities such as playground equipment, statues, and
fountains should be located toward the interior of squares and parks, sufficiently away from the public right-of-
way, to provide for the adequate safety of users.
5. Ownership. Dedicated recreational open space may be held in private ownership, provided that the necessary
easements are recorded with the Wake County Register of Deeds in a form approved by the Town. Otherwise,
dedicated recreational open space shall be separately deeded to a homeowner's association, a non-profit land
trust or conservancy, Wake County, or the Town of Knightdale (upon approval by the Town Council).
C. Recreational Open Space Dedication. All developments with more than eight (8) residential units shall be
required to dedicate recreational open space. The amount of recreational open space required for dedication shall be
determined using the following Recreational Open Space Dedication Matrix ("Dedication Matrix") included in
Table 11.2(C)(4). The Dedication Matrix is based upon similar dedication requirements throughout the State of
North Carolina with a few enhancements:
Proximity to Improved Publicly Dedicated Recreational Open Space Credits. The Dedication Matrix
accounts for the availability of accessible recreational open space in close proximity to the proposed
development, referred to as "Proximity Zone". The portion of a development within a half (0.5) mile walk
(along sidewalks or other pedestrian access within a public right-of-way or public easement) to existing publicly
dedicated recreational open space (parks, greenways, etc.) are granted a reduction in required recreational open
space dedication of twenty-five (25) percent. Similarly, the portion of a development within a quarter (0.25)
mile of existing publicly dedicated recreational open space is granted a fifty (50) percent reduction in required
dedication. Publicly dedicated recreational open space means that the property has been dedicated to the Town
of Knightdale or other government agency, is actively maintained through a maintenance agreement or
acceptance for maintenance by the government agency, and has been improved as provided for in Section
11.2(B)(2).
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Recreational Open Space
2. Density (Dwelling Units/Acre). To encourage the preservation of proportional acres of land in higher
density developments, the Dedication Matrix provides for an increasing requirement in the dedication of
recreational open space as gross density also increases.
3. Number of Bedrooms. In addition to density, the Dedication Matrix was also designed to base recreational
open space requirements on the estimated number of bedrooms in a given development rather than the more
typical dedication based upon the number of dwelling units, since bedroom counts better represent the actual
number of residents for whom an appropriate amount of recreational open space is needed. For the purposes
of good faith estimation, all single-family developments will dedicate open space at a rate of three and one-half
(3.5) bedrooms per unit unless otherwise stipulated. In the absence of known building specifications, duplexes,
townhomes, and multifamily will dedicate open space at a rate of two and one-half (2.5) bedrooms per unit.
4. Recreational Open Space Dedication Matrix. The Dedication Matrix shall be used as detailed below.
a. Estimate average density for each zone of proximity within the development.
b. Estimate the total number of bedrooms within each zone of proximity.
c. Multiply the total number of bedrooms within each zone of proximity times the dedication rate (in square
feet) for the corresponding average density for each zone of proximity.
d. If applicable, add the preceding results for each zone of proximity together to determine the total
dedication required.
Table 11.2(C)(4) Required Open Space Dedication Matrix
Dedication Rate (square feet)
Proximity Zone 0-2 du/acre 2-6 du/acre 6-10 du/acre +10 du/acre
•
C . 1
1 1 1
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Recreational Open Space
EXAMPLE.
Public
Park
A developer wants to subdivide a 50-acre tract
of land into 120 lots for 120 single family
dwellings. The good faith estimated number of
bedrooms per dwelling is 3.5. 8 acres are nithin
%4 mile of existing publicly dedicated open space,
while another 24 acres are between %4 and
mile. (Assumption: In the absence of specific
information, dwelling units may be equally
distributed across the entire acreage.
How much recreational open space is required
for dedication?
Density = 120 units / 50 acres or 2.4 gross
dwelling units/acre (applies to whole site
Bedroom Estimate:
Total bedrooms = 120 units * 3.5
bedroom/unit or 420 bedrooms
Total bedrooms nithin %4 mile = 420 bedrooms
* (8/50 acres or 68 bedrooms
Total bedrooms %4 - % mile = 420 bedrooms * (24/50 acres or 202 bedrooms
Total bedrooms outside % mile = 420 bedrooms * (18/50 acres or 152 bedrooms
Open Space Calculations (square foot multipliers come from chart, 2.4 is between 2 — 6):
Vithin %4 mile = 68 bedrooms * 260 square feet or 17,680 sf
%4 - % mile = 202 bedrooms * 390 square feet or 78,780 sf
Outside % mile = 152 bedrooms * 520 square feet or 79,040 sf
Total Recreational Open Space = 17,680 sf + 78,780 sf + 79.040 f or 175500 square eet
(also 4.03 acres or 8% of the total area
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Recreational Open Space
5. Variation Permitted from Final Build -Out. Because the open space dedication requirements are based upon
preliminary estimations of bedroom units in a given development, changing market conditions and the final
build -out of a project may yield a different bedroom count. In order to accommodate for variations, this code
will allow the number of actual bedrooms to exceed the estimated number of bedrooms as follows:
a. Less Than 10% = No further dedication required
b. 10% - 25% = Payment in Lieu required for additional bedrooms
c. More than 25% = Additional recreational open space dedication required
6. Payment in Lieu of Recreational Open Space Dedication. If recreational open space within a development
is physically impractical due to unusual topographic conditions, then the Town Council may, at its discretion,
accept either an equitable amount of land in another location or a fee paid to the Town in lieu of dedication. A
combination of dedication and payments in lieu of dedication are permitted.
Payments in lieu of dedication shall be approved as part of the Development Plan. All payments made in lieu
of dedication shall be made in accordance with the Town's Fee Schedule at the time of Final Plat approval.
Failure to submit the required fee along with other required Final Plat materials will delay approval of the Final
Plat until payment is rendered. All funds received for payment in lieu of dedication shall be used for the
acquisition, development, or redevelopment of public open space within the Town.
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Recreational Open Space
7. Recreational Open Space Criteria. In addition to meeting the general requirements of Section 11.2, land
proposed for improved recreational open space shall meet the following criteria:
11.1. Oven Svace Menu
100%
Required
Open Space
Must be distributed into
the following uses
50% 50%
Active Uses Passive Uses
oil
Both uses must consist of the elements below.
Fill the circles to indicate which elements to include
(Fill 1 circle below) Community
Neighborhood Amenities' O
Resort Style Pool 0
Clubhouse O
Golf Course O
(Fill 1 circle below) Recreation
IPEMA Certified Playground 0
Tennis/Pickieball Courts O
Baseball/Softball Field 0
Football/Soccer Field O
Multi -Use Hard Court 0
Bocce Courts 0
(Fill 1 circle below) Public
Public Park Facility O
Public Greenway O
Public Plaza 0
Town of Knightdale
Knightdale Next UDO Update
I Community (Fill 2 circles below)
- O Pavilions
- O Gazebos
0 Community Garden
- - O Permanent Yard Games
- - O Fire Pit
O Hardscaped & Landscaped Squares
0 Benches and/or seat walls
0 Historic Resources*
- - O Private Greenway
Environmental (Fill i circle below)
O Parkways*
0 Preservation of Natural Resources
- O Rain Garden
-- O Constructed Wetland
O Stream Restoration
Creative (Fill 1 circle below)
0 Outdoor Display of Public Art
O Gateway Landscaping or Structure
O Enhanced Roadside Landscaping
Chapter 11 — Subdivision Standards
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Recreational Open Space
8. Topography.
a. Active. The average slope of the land for active recreation shall not exceed seven and one-half (7.5)
percent.
b. Passive. The average slope of the land for passive recreation shall not exceed the average slope of the
entire subdivision or development, and in no case shall the average slope exceed fifteen (15) percent unless
otherwise approved by the DRC for the preservation of natural resources.
9. Shape.
a. Active. The shape of land for active recreation shall be sufficiently square or rectangular to be suitable for,
but not limited to, playgrounds, courts, or playfields.
b. Passive: The shape of land for passive recreation shall be sufficient to encompass the walking or jogging
path, natural or cultural resource or other proposed area to be enjoyed.
10. Unity. Land provided for recreational open space shall forma single parcel except where the DRC determines
that two (2) or more parcels are more suitable to the accessibility needs (Section 5.7 (E)) of a particular
subdivision. The TRC may require that such parcels be connected by a path contained within a strip of
recreation area which shall have a minimum width of thirty (30) feet. A maximum width of fifty (50) feet may
be required where slope, parallel utility lines or other site conditions warrant additional width.
11. Accessibility. All recreational open space shall have at least fifty (50) feet of frontage on at least one (1) public
street within the subdivision. All six (6) foot multi -use asphalt paths, including those within greenway
easements, shall be located on an easement of at least twenty (20) feet in width that guarantees access by
pedestrians and non -motorized vehicles. Ten (10) foot asphalt multi -use paths within greenway easements
required by Appendix B shall be located on an easement of at least thirty (30) feet in width.
D. Recreational Open Space Credits.
Parkways. For each street segment within a development that is single -loaded (buildings fronting on one side
only with recreational open space on the other), the area consisting of the length times half of the width of said
street segment right-of-way shall be credited at a rate of one -hundred (100) percent against the passive
recreational open space square foot requirement.
2. Historic Resources. Historic resources determined by the Land Use Administrator as candidates for local
historic district or local historic landmark designation per Chapter 160D-945 or 160D-144 of the North
Carolina General Statutes, and are identified for preservation as part of a development proposal shall be
credited two -hundred (200) percent of the area against the passive recreational open space square foot
requirement. In the case of historic buildings "preservation" shall constitute active rehabilitation and use of the
building or deeded transfer of the building(s) and associated property to a local historic preservation
organization enabled to receive such transfers.
3. Neighborhood Amenities. Developments that provide neighborhood amenity facilities will receive a credit of
twenty-five (25) percent of the required passive open space, and twenty-five (25) percent of the required active
open space (to be equally divided). The amenities shall contain a resort -style pool or equivalent with a
minimum of two -thousand five -hundred (2,500) square feet in surface water and a clubhouse with a minimum
of one -thousand five -hundred (1,500) square feet. Such amenity must be open to all residents of the
neighborhood and are not subject to private membership separate from any related HOA dues.
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Circulation and Connectivity
11.3. Circulation and Connectivity
A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this Section is to support the creation of a highly connected transportation
system within the Town in order to:
1. Provide choices for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
2. Promote walking and bicycling;
3. Connect neighborhoods to each other and to local destinations such as schools, parks, and shopping centers;
4. Reduce vehicle miles of travel and travel times;
5. Increase effectiveness of municipal service delivery; and
6. Free up arterial capacity to better serve regional long-distance travel needs.
It is the intent of this UDO to build streets that are integral components of community design. Streets must be
pedestrian in nature and shall be designed with sufficient detail to complement the architectural detail of neighborhoods
and commercial centers. In addition to the standards of this Chapter, streets shall also conform to the provisions of
Chapter 10.
B. Arterial and Collector Plans.
1. Conformity. The street layout in any development shall conform to the arrangement, width, and location of
public streets indicated on the Town's Comprehensive Transportation Plan (See Roadway Network Plan,
Appendix A; Sidepaths and Greenways Plan, Appendix B). Whenever a tract of land included within any
proposed development plan embraces any part of the arterial or collector systems as designated on the Town's
Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the development shall be required to dedicate and plat the arterial or
collector right-of-way and shall be responsible for the cost and the installation of the improvements in
accordance with the Town's standards for streets.
Developments that embrace only one (1) side of an existing or planned arterial or collector right-of-way will
only be required to dedicate and plat additional right-of-way for that portion of street with which the
development has frontage and shall be responsible for the cost and the installation of the improvements in
accordance with the Town's standards for street spaces directly along the parcels frontage toward the parking
requirement.
2. Street Stubs. New developments are required to stub streets to the outer perimeter boundaries of the
development based on the criteria below. If the street in question meets at least two (2) of the criteria, then the
street must be built to an appropriate collector street standard.
a. The street intersects directly with an arterial street and provides access to an area with an overall density of
ten (10) dwelling units per acre, or provides access to more than one -hundred fifty (150) dwelling units.
b. The street by its general configuration, in relationship to the existing development of the area, in effect
serves a collector function.
c. The street extends into an undeveloped area in such a manner as to serve a future collector function.
d. The street serves as the primary access to a significant nonresidential, institutional, or recreational land as
well as an access to a residential area of twenty (20) or more acres.
3. Street Design. New developments that provide new streets that are not identified on the Town's
Comprehensive Transportation Plan, but meet any of the following criteria must be built to an appropriate
collector street standard.
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Circulation and Connectivity
a. The street intersects directly with an arterial street and provides access to an area with an overall density of
ten (10) dwelling units per acre or provides access to more than one -hundred fifty (150) dwelling units.
b. The street by its general configuration, in relationship to the existing development of the area, in effect
serves a collector function.
c. The street extends into an undeveloped area in such a manner as to serve a future collector function.
d. The street serves as the primary access to a significant nonresidential, institutional, or recreational land, as
well as an access to a residential area of twenty (20) or more acres.
4. Intersection Design. The intersection of two (2) collectors streets, a collector street and an arterial street, two
(2) arterial streets, or at other intersection as required by the Town, shall be designed as a roundabout when
under the jurisdiction of the Town of Knightdale. When under the jurisdiction of the NCDOT, roundabouts
shall be the Town of Knightdale's local preference.
Figure 11.2.• Intersection Design Preference
C. Conformity to Adopted Plans. All site and subdivision plans shall conform to the arrangement, width, and
location of public transportation elements indicated in appendices A and C (Transit & Mobility Hub Plan) as
approved by the Land Use Review Board and adopted by the Town Council. All site and subdivision plans shall also
meet the requirements of the Long -Range Transportation Plan for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization (CAMPO) as adopted by the CAMPO Transportation Advisory Committee and the North Carolina
Department of Transportation.
Whenever a tract of land included within any proposed development plan embraces any part of the arterial or
collector systems as designated on the Town's Comprehensive Transportation Plan (appendices A and B), the
development shall be required to dedicate and plat the arterial or collector right-of-way and shall be responsible for
the cost and the installation of the improvements in accordance with the Town's standards for streets.
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Circulation and Connectivity
D. Traffic Impact Analysis (I' A).
Purpose. TIAs are used to evaluate whether or not the scale of development is appropriate for a particular site
and what improvements may be necessary, on and off the site, to provide safe and efficient access and traffic
flow. It is an essential part of the development review process to assist developers and government agencies in
making land use decisions involving annexations, subdivisions, rezoning, special land uses, and other
development reviews.
As a specialized study that evaluates the effects of a development's traffic on the surrounding transportation
infrastructure, the TIA helps identify where the development may have a significant impact on safety, traffic
and transportation operations, and provides a means for the developer and government agencies to mitigate
these impacts.
2. Threshold. A TIA, meeting the requirements of Section 12.30), is necessary in the following instances:
a. For any proposed rezoning, preliminary subdivision, or master plan if the nature of the proposed rezoning
or development is such that the number of trips it can be expected to generate equals or exceeds one -
hundred fifty (150) new peak hour trips; or
b. When the Land Use Administrator determines:
i. That a new project's traffic will substantially affect an intersection or a roadway segment already
identified as operating at a failing level of service (LOS), or
ii. That a project may create a hazard to public safety, or
iii. That a project will substantially change the off -site transportation system or connections to it.
E. Vehicular Connectivity. Traffic studies have shown that highly connected street networks provide much greater
traffic throughput and mobility for a community, at less cost. A high degree of connectivity should occur not only
at the level of arterials but also on collector, local, and other secondary roads. Such connectivity vastly improves a
street network's performance. The street pattern should not force short trips of one (1) or two (2) miles onto
arterials; it should be possible to make trips of this sort by using collector or other secondary streets. With a highly
connected street network, cross-town trips should be possible using fairly direct secondary roads.
1. General Street Layout. In general, streets should be designed and located so that they relate to the
topography, preserve natural features such as streams and tree growth, and provide adequate public safety and
convenience for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike. To accomplish this, local public and private streets
may incorporate traffic calming devices in conformance with the Town's "Traffic Calming Policy" as most
recently adopted by the Town Council.
The proposed street layout shall also be coordinated with the existing street system of the surrounding area.
Where a through street or a series of streets establishes a connection between two (2) public streets, such street
shall be a public street.
2. Street Classification. The Town shall make the final determination of the classification of streets in a
proposed development based on guidance from the Comprehensive Plan. Street classifications are defined in
Section 10.4 (A).
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Circulation and Connectivity
3. Street Stubs.
a. Continuation of Adjoining Street Systems. Vehicular connections from adjacent property (street stub -
outs) must be utilized unless the Land Use Administrator deems the connection impractical due to
topographic conditions, environmental constraints, property shape or property accessibility.
b. New Street Stubs.
Development Perimeter and Surrounding Parcels. New developments are required to stub streets
to the outer perimeter boundaries of the development so as to ensure access of surrounding
properties to a public right-of-way and in accordance with appendices A and B.
ii. Whenever connections to existing or proposed streets on an adjoining property are required, the
street right-of-way shall be extended and the street developed to the property line of the subdivided
property (or to the edge of the remaining undeveloped portion of a single tract) at the point where the
connection to the existing or proposed street is expected.
iii. Where land is subdivided into parcels and tracts larger than ordinary building lots, such parcels and
tracts shall be arranged in a phasing plan so as to allow for the opening of future streets and logical
further subdivision.
iv. The Town may require temporary turnarounds to be constructed at the end of such streets pending
their extension. Where a temporary turnaround is required that precludes the completion of street
right-of-way improvements to the property line, please see Section 10.1 (C).
v. The Town may require the extension of a stub or connection where necessary to permit the
convenient movement of traffic between residential neighborhoods or to facilitate access to
neighborhoods by emergency service vehicles or for other sufficient reasons.
c. If the street being stubbed meets at least two (2) of the following criteria, then the street must be built to
an appropriate collector street standard:
The street intersects directly with an arterial street and provides access to an area with an overall
density of ten (10) dwelling units per acre or provides access to more than one -hundred fifty (150)
dwelling units.
ii. The street by its general configuration, in relationship to the existing development of the area, in
effect serves a collector function.
iii. The street extends into an undeveloped area in such a manner as to serve a future collector function.
iv. The street serves as the primary access to a significant nonresidential, institutional, or recreational
land, as well as an access to a residential area of twenty (20) or more acres.
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Circulation and Connectivity
4. Block Length. Maximum block lengths inside proposed developments shall be in accordance with lengths
shown in the following table. Short block lengths are intended to create a better pedestrian -scaled environment.
The Land Use Administrator may allow a deviation from this requirement if it is determined that this
requirement is impractical due to topographic conditions, environmental constraints, property shape, or
property accessibility.
Figure 11.3.• Block Length Standards
\ Block Length
Street
a
ai
L
5. Cul-de-sacs. Permanent cul-de-sac streets and dead-end streets are discouraged in the design of street network
systems, and they should only be used when topography, the presence of natural features, and/or vehicular
safety factors make a vehicular connection impractical. Where cul-de-sacs or dead-end streets are unavoidable,
developments shall incorporate provisions for future vehicular connections to adjacent, undeveloped
properties, and to existing adjacent developments where existing connections are poor. No system of multiple
branching cul-de-sacs from a single junction with a connected street network is permitted unless the Land Use
Administrator deems it allowable due to environmental constraints. Any permanent dead-end streets or cul-de-
sac shall comply with the length limits (as measured along the street centerline) shown in the following table
and shall be provided with a turnaround at the closed end of the street as set forth in the Town's Standard
Specifications and Details Manual and the Fire Code, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Code Official.
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Circulation and Connectivity
Figurell.4. Cul-de-Sac Standards
- •`/ Street
Centerline
.............................................................................................................................
—Cul-de-sac
\ Cul-de-sac's
/ Length
6. Second and Additional Points of Access Required for Residential Developments. Residential
development shall be required to provide points of access as detailed in the following sections. The number of
further open and functioning vehicular access points shall be controlled and determined by the development's
Town -approved TIA (Section 12.3 Q)). If a TIA should establish a higher standard for the number of open and
functioning vehicular access points from the existing public street system, the requirement of the TIA shall
prevail. The requirements herein shall not preclude a development from also meeting the following
connectivity index required in Section 11.3(E)(7). For purposes of this section, a median -divided vehicular
access point counts as a single vehicular access point. This section does not preclude developments from
connecting to existing street stubs and/or street stub rights -of -way abutting their property. When two points of
open and functioning vehicular access are required, the placement shall be in accordance with the Fire Code.
a. One- and Two -Family Dwelling Developments. At a minimum, a second point of open and
functioning vehicular access from the existing public street system (not a stub -out) is required for
developments of one- or two-family dwellings that contain one -hundred (100) residential units or more,
and a third shall be required for developments that exceed five -hundred (500) residential units. These
second and third points shall be open and functioning prior to the issuance of the 1001h and 501st
Certificate of Occupancy respectively for the development.
b. Multi -family Residential Developments. At a minimum, a second point of open and functioning
vehicular access from the existing public street system (not a stub -out) is required for multi -family
residential developments that exceed 100 dwelling units. However, if all buildings are equipped with an
approved automatic sprinkler system, multi -family projects with up to 200 dwelling units may have a single
open and functioning vehicular access. Regardless of automatic sprinkler systems, all multi -family
developments with more than 200 dwelling units shall have two separate open and functioning vehicular
access roads.
Connectivity Index. A Connectivity Index shall be used to determine the adequacy of street layout design.
This is calculated as the ratio of the number of street links (road sections between intersections) in the project's street
layout divided by the number of street nodes (intersections and cul-de-sac beads). For comparison purposes, a
perfect grid has a Connectivity Index of 2.00 or higher, while a conventional cul-de-sac subdivision is often
1.00 or less. The accompanying illustration exhibits a connectivity index of 1.22 (links are shown as circles and
nodes are shown as stars). Street links on existing adjacent streets that are not part of the proposed subdivision
are not included in the connectivity index calculation. The illustration has eleven (11) links and nine (9) nodes
for an index of 11 / 9 = 1.22. Any development shall be required to achieve a Connectivity Index as shown in
the following table.
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Circulation and Connectivity
Figure 11.9.• Connectivity Index
...0
Town of Knightdale
Knightdale Next UDO Update
Legend
..'Links - 11
4P Nodes-9
Connectivity Index =11 /9 =1.22
Chapter 11 — Subdivision Standards
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Circulation and Connectivity
8. Land Use Administrator -Awarded Modifications. The Land Use Administrator may award reductions to
the minimum index value if it is determined that more than sixty (60) percent of any "side" of a development
(four [4] sides total) faces impracticalities for connectivity to adjacent properties due to the presence of
controlled -access highways, railroad rights -of -way, NRBs or existing developments that have not provided
street stub -outs for connection purposes. In addition, the Land Use Administrator may award bonuses to a
development's index score where pedestrian greenways are provided to link any cul-de-sac to another street or
cul-de-sac within the development.
Cross Access. All developments featuring on -site parking lots shall be designed to allow for cross -access to
adjacent properties to encourage shared parking (Section 7.1 0)(3)). When cross access is deemed impractical
by the Land Use Administrator on the basis of severe topography, environmental constraints, or vehicular
safety factors, the requirement may be deviated from provided that appropriate bicycle and pedestrian
connections are provided between adjacent developments or land uses. Development plans shall provide cross -
access easement and complete the connection if completing the link can derive an immediate benefit. If no
immediate benefit can be derived, development plans shall provide cross access and construction easements
and arrange the site design so when the adjoining property owner extends the connection to the property line,
the link will be completed. If the link is to be completed in the future, the grade of the connection, parking,
landscaping, and other improvements must be set to allow for extension into the adjacent property.
10. Bicycle Amenities. In North Carolina, a bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle and is permitted to operate on
any roadway where NC Board of Transportation policy does not expressly prohibit non -motorized vehicles (i.e.
interstates and other fully -controlled, limited access highways). In addition to the preceding requirements of
this Section:
a. Bicycle amenities in the form of bike lanes shall be incorporated in the design of all arterials, collector
streets and roads with bicycle routes identified on Appendix A: Roadway Network Plan and Appendix B:
Sidepaths and Greenways Plan; and
b. Bicycle parking shall be provided according to the requirements established in sections 7.1 (F) and (N ).
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Circulation and Connectivity
F. Pedestrian Circulation & Connectivity. In order for walking to be a viable transportation choice for local trips,
circulation routes must be safe, convenient, and highly connected. Pedestrian circulation and connectivity should
primarily take place adjacent to planned streets within the right-of-way; however, a considerable amount of
pedestrian activity also takes place on -site, where vehicle speeds are lower but the numbers of potential conflict
points are much higher. As such, the following standards shall be met when designing a connected pedestrian
circulation system:
1. All pedestrian walkways shall be designed to comply with the design standards outlined in Chapters 7.
2. Pedestrian crossings shall be made safer for pedestrians whenever possible by shortening crosswalk distances
with roadway designs including, but not limited to, curb extensions, reduced curb radii, and the elimination of
free right -turn lanes. Traffic calming devices may only be installed according to the Town's "Traffic Calming
Policy" as most recently adopted by the Town Council and approved by the Fire Code Official.
3. Pedestrian walkways shall form an on -site circulation system that minimizes the number of points of conflict
(where pedestrian networks and bicycle/vehicle networks intersect) between pedestrians and vehicles,
particularly where pedestrians access on -site parking and building entrances.
4. Pedestrian walkways shall connect building entrances and building entrances with public sidewalk connections
and existing or planned transit stops.
5. All developments that contain more than one (1) building shall provide walkways between the principal
entrances of the buildings.
6. Multi -purpose paths, whether required by Appendix B or built to satisfy the recreational requirements of
Section 11.2, shall connect to the street system in a safe and convenient manner. These paths should be used to
enhance pedestrian and bicycle travel where the existing circulation system does not serve these patrons well.
G. Access Management.
1. Number of Driveway Access Points.
a. Single -Family Residential Lots In General.
b. Along Arterials and Collectors. Developments should minimize or eliminate curb cuts along arterials
and collectors. Single Family lots, attached or detached, shall not have access to a collector or arterial
street, unless the collector is designed to the modified avenue section to include on -street parking on one
side and a landscaped median divide. In this instance rear -loaded alley access is permitted on one side of
the street section. Where possible, vehicular access drives should be shared with the adjacent properties
and/or alleys should be utilized for access. All lots, parcels, or any other division of land adjacent to an
arterial or collector may be allowed driveways or street connections in accordance with the following.
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Circulation and Connectivity
2. Location of Driveway Access Points.
a. In General. Except for shared drives, all driveways shall be a minimum of three -and -a -half (31/2) feet from
the property line.
b. Along Arterials. Location guidelines for driveway access points along arterials are shown in the
illustration below in relation to the direction of traffic flow. If access to a lot, parcel, or other lawful
division of land is physically unobtainable under the provisions illustrated below, driveway access points
shall be located the greatest distance possible from one another and from other streets.
11.6.• Location ofDrivewavAccess Points
LL
300' 20io
I
Arterial
H. Median Cross -Over Spacing. In general, if the left turn lane storage requirements for adjacent intersections
overlap, the minimum spacing specified below shall be increased to provide adequate left turn lane storage in both
directions. Additionally, where the NC DOT Driveway Manual or Median Crossover Guide conflicts, the stricter of
the two (2) standards should prevail.
Town of Knightdale
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Chapter 11 — Subdivision Standards
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