Title
Amend City Code 31-101(b) Street Improvements - Assessment Policy (Ordinance G-7101)
Description
Request to amend Phoenix City Code 31-101(b) regarding Street improvements - Assessment policy to update “Scalloped Street” assessment policies to align with Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. Section 9-243).
Report
Summary
Phoenix streets are primarily constructed by adjacent private developers at time of site development as outlined in Chapter 32 of the Phoenix City Code (Subdivisions). However, staggered development patterns, market conditions and construction trends have resulted in many streets not having a completed cross section, therefore not serving to their ultimate capacity. These street cross sections with inconsistent, non-systematic configurations are referred to as "scalloped streets." Scalloped streets can cause traffic congestion, travel delays and lack of accessibility for those with disabilities. The consideration and use of a "scalloped streets" policy would allow the City to address critical missing street segments to benefit the surrounding community and traveling public, while retaining the ability to cost share for these improvements if future private development occurs that also benefits from the street improvements.
With regards to "Scalloped Streets," the Street Transportation Department (Streets) determined that current State Statutes provide for greater flexibility, applicability and cost recovery of funding in comparison to existing adopted City policies in Phoenix City Code Chapter 31 (Streets and Sidewalks). The City would benefit by removing the "Scalloped Streets" portions of existing City Code (31-101), which would allow the City to follow a "Scalloped Streets" policy in adherence to the existing Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. Section 9-243) and improve the flexibility and ease of use for Streets' staff.
In May 2022 and November 2022, Streets' staff sent notification of the proposed City Code modifications to representatives of the development industry with no noted objections.
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning (TIP) Subcommittee recommended Council approval of the City Code 31-101(b) changes (Attachment A) to align with Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. Section 9-243).
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 31 of City Code adding an article entitled 'Street Improvements Before Development' on April 18, 1984 (G-2620).
- Council amended sections 31-100, 31-101 and 31-102 of Chapter 31 of City Code to include assessment and collection procedures for street improvements on July 3, 1991 (G-3446).
- TIP Subcommittee recommended Council approval of this item by a vote of 4-0 on Feb. 15, 2023.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson, the Street Transportation Department, and the City Engineer.