HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Zoning Text Amendments Relating to Visibility Triangle ORDINANCE NO. 4248
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING CHAPTER 29,SECTION 29.408(5)AND
ENACTING A NEW SECTION 29.408(5)THEREOF,FOR THE PURPOSE
OF AMENDING THE DELINEATION OF VISIBILITY AT
INTERSECTIONS; REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH
CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames,Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
repealing Section 29.408(5)and enacting a new Section 29.408(5)as follows:
"Sec.29.408. OTHER GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
(5) Visibility at Intersections.
(a)In order to promote a safe pedestrian and vehicular environment,a"visibility triangle"is established at each
street intersection.
(i)The visibility triangle is defined by a triangle,two legs of which are measured from the intersection
of the back of the curb line or pavement edge(if there is no curb)extended.
(ii)The legs of the triangle are based on the posted speed limit of that street. A street with a posted
speed limit of greater than 30 miles per hour shall have a 100 foot leg.A street with a posted speed limit of up to and
including 30 miles per hour shall have a 50 foot leg.
(iii)The length of any leg shall be halved if the street has a control feature,such as a stop sign,yield
sign,or traffic signal.
(b)Within the visibility triangle,no obstruction is allowed that would significantly obstruct or impede vision
through the visibility triangle between a height of 3 feet and 10 feet above the grade of the curb or pavement edge(if
there is no curb).Examples of obstructions include:
(i)any fence,wall, shrub,berm, or sign taller than 3 feet.
(ii)any evergreen tree.
(iii)any deciduous tree with branches extending from the trunk between 3 feet and 10 feet.
(iv)any parking of vehicles.
(v)any other permanent or temporary structure or item determined by the traffic engineer to be a visual
obstruction.
(c)The following shall not be considered an obstruction:
(i)a building conforming to the setback requirements of this Zoning Ordinance.
(ii)utility poles and street light poles.
(iii)traffic control equipment including control boxes,traffic signs,and traffic signal poles.
(d) For unique situations due to topography,street alignment,or other physical condition,the city's traffic
engineer may require as part of site development plan approval,alternative dimensions to the triangle toensure a safe
clear area at street intersections."
Section Two.Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable
as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict, if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 91h day of February,2016.
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Diane R.Voss, City Clerk Ann�H. Campbell,Mayor