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Figure 12.48.200 above illustrates the configuration of several “through-block connections” intended to primarily enhance pedestrian circulation in the area, while also providing an option for vehicular access to on-site parking, functioning as a design amenity to new development, and breaking up the massing of buildings on long blocks. Specific regulations:

A. Required Connections and Public Access Easement. If an applicant owns a lot containing a proposed through-block connection within it or along the edge of the property, the applicant must provide such through-block connections in conjunction with their project development as a public access easement. Exception:

For uses that require large building footprints, restricted security access, or other unique requirements for restricting access, the director may approve alternatives to designated through-block connections provided the proposed design maximizes pedestrian and vehicular connectivity on and/or around the site and the designs maximize opportunities for connectivity and contribution to a network.

B. Alignment. Specific alignments for the through-block connections will be developed during the development review process for applicable sites.

C. Accessibility. Through-block connections must be accessible to the public at all times and may take a variety of forms, depending on the block size and use mix, as specified in subsection F of this section, Through-Block Connection Types.

D. Design Departures. Adjustments to the through-block connection regulations in subsection F of this section may be approved by the city as a departure, pursuant to BMC 12.48.030, provided the design:

1. Creates a safe and welcoming pedestrian route.

2. Provides an effective transition between the shared lane or path and adjacent uses (e.g., enhances privacy to any adjacent ground-level residential units).

3. Functions as a design amenity to the development.

E. Cantilever Design. Buildings may project or cantilever into minimum required easement areas on building levels above the connection provided a 13-foot, six-inch vertical clearance is maintained and all other regulations are met.

F. Through-Block Connection Types. Unless otherwise noted below and elsewhere in this chapter, required through-block connections may take any of the following forms set forth in subsections (F)(1) through (F)(4) of this section. A combination of designs set forth above may be used for each connection.

1. Alley Design.

a. Applicability. The traditional alley design option is permitted on blocks featuring storefronts along at least 50 percent of the block’s perimeter frontage.

b. Twenty-foot minimum public access easement.

c. Twenty-foot-wide two-way travel lane featuring asphalt, concrete, unit paving, or other similar decorative and durable surface material.

Fig. 12.48.230.F.1. Cross-section of minimum regulations for an alley.

2. Woonerf Design.

a. Applicability. The “woonerf,” or shared lane, may apply to any through-block connection within the subarea.

b. Forty-foot minimum public access easement.

c. Twenty-foot-wide two-way shared travel lane featuring concrete, unit paving, or other similar decorative and durable surface material. Asphalt is prohibited.

d. Ten-foot minimum landscaping strips with Type III landscaping per BMC 12.18.040 on each side of the shared lane. Curbs and/or raised planter walls may be included in the required landscaping area.

e. Where such through-block connection is integrated along the edge of a development, a minimum easement of 20 feet is required for the shared travel lane.

f. Woonerf design connections are subject to block frontage regulations in BMC 12.48.355.

Figure 12.48.230.F.2 illustrates the cross-section for minimum regulations for the woonerf design.

Fig. 12.48.230.F.2. Cross-section of minimum regulations for a woonerf design through-block connection.

Figure 12.48.230.F.2.a illustrates regulations for scenarios where a through-block connection is located on the edge of a site, where its development likely will be phased in as the adjacent properties redevelop.

Fig. 12.48.230.F.2.a. Cross-section of minimum regulations for a woonerf design through-block connection when developed along the edge of development site.

The top image illustrates a scenario where a new development includes a required access corridor on the edge of the development site abutting an existing development. In this scenario, a minimum 20-foot easement must be required and include a shared lane. The shared lane must be designed to allow a future connection to the adjacent site.

The bottom image illustrates a second phase where the adjacent property is redeveloped. An additional 20-foot easement will be required plus a connection must be added (where necessary to provide access for on-site parking), but the remaining area must be landscaped with Type III landscaping (see BMC 12.18.040).

3. Landscaped Passageway Design.

a. Applicability. Optional design when vehicular access to the site is provided elsewhere on the site.

b. Thirty-foot minimum public access easement.

c. Eight- to 16-foot walking path. Eight- to 10-foot paths are appropriate in a residential context, whereas the wider path is more desirable for active ground level uses with outdoor seating/dining areas.

d. Seven- to 11-foot minimum landscaping strips (with Type III landscaping per BMC 12.18.040) on each side of the walking path. Raised planter walls may be included in the required landscaping area.

e. Where such through-block connection is integrated along the edge of a development, a minimum easement of 15 feet is required for the subject walking path and landscaping. Adjustments to the walking path and landscaping widths and configurations are allowed provided the design effectively balances the following objectives:

(1) Create a safe and welcoming pedestrian route.

(2) Provide an effective transition between the walking path and adjacent uses (e.g., enhances privacy to any adjacent ground-level residential units).

(3) Function as a design amenity to the development.

f. Landscaped passageway design connections are subject to block frontage regulations in BMC 12.48.355.

Fig. 12.48.230.F.3. Cross-section of minimum regulations and examples of a pedestrian access corridor.

4. Urban Passage Design.

a. Applicability. Optional design when vehicular access to the site is provided elsewhere on the site and active ground level uses are provided along frontages.

b. Sixteen-foot minimum public access easement.

c. Urban passage design connections are subject to block frontage regulations in BMC 12.48.360.

Fig. 12.48.230.F.4. Urban passage examples.

(Ord. 2341 § 5 (Exh. A), 2020).