Ordinance 23-023 SVMC 22.070.030 Amends the Clearview TriangleCITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO.23-023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING CHAPTER 22.070,030 SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATED TO CLEARVIEW TRIANGLE REGULATIONS, AND OTHER MATTERS
RELATING THERETO.
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley (City) adopted the Uniform Development Code (UDC)
pursuant to Ordinance 07-01 S on September 25, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the UDC became effective on October 28, 2007; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, the City adopted modifications to chapter 22.70 SVMC Fencing, Screening, and
Landscaping; and
WHEREAS, such regulations are authorized by chapter 36.70A RCW; and
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2023, the Washington State Department of Commerce was notified
pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106, providing a 60-day notice of intent to adopt amendments to Spokane Valley
development regulations; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 2023, the Planning Commission held a study session to discuss the
proposed clearview triangle revisions; and
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2023, and October 13, 2023, notice of the Planning Commission public
hearing for proposed amendments to the clearview triangle regulations was published in the Spokane Valley
News Herald; and
WHEREAS, on October 26, 2023, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to receive evidence
and information, and to provide an opportunity for public testimony. The Planning Commission subsequently
deliberated and approved findings and recommendation; and
WHEREAS, on November 21, 2023, City Council held a study session to discuss the proposed
clearview triangle revisions; and
WHEREAS, the amendments set forth below are consistent with the goals and policies of the City's
Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to chapter 22.070.030 SVMC bear a substantial relation to the
public health, safety, and welfare of the City and its citizens.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley do ordain as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend chapter 22.070.030 SVMC,
Clearview Triangle, to update regulatory text including references related to alley classification, measurement
criteria, and parked vehicles.
Section 2. Findings and Conclusions. The City Council acknowledges that the Planning
Commission conducted appropriate investigation and study, held a public hearing on the proposed amendments,
Ordinance 23-00x — Amending chapter 22.070.030 SVMC — Clearview triangle Page 1 of 7
and recommended approval of the amendments. The City Council has read and considered the Planning
Commission's findings and recommendation, and makes the following findings:
1. Compliance with SVMC 17.80.150(F) Approval Criteria
a. The proposed text amendment is consistent with the applicable provisions of the
Comprehensive Plan.
Findings: The proposed amendment is consistent with the following goals and
policies of Comprehensive Plan:
T-GI Ensure that the transportation system and investments in
transportation infrastructure are designed to improve quality of life
or support economic development priorities.
T-63 Strive to reduce the number of serious injury/fatality collisions to
zero.
T-P2 Consider neighborhood traffic and livability conditions and address
potential adverse impacts of public and private projects during the
planning, designing, permitting, and construction phases.
T-P9 Provide and maintain quality street, sidewalk, and shared -use path
surfaces that provide a safe environment for all users
b. The proposed amendment does bear a substantial relation to public health, safety,
welfare and protection of the environment.
Findings: The proposed amendment does bear substantial relation to public
health, safety, welfare, and protection of the enviromment for the following
reasons:
The proposed amendments clarify specific criteria as it relates to sight
distance triangles and right-of-way permitting requirements in order to
maintain safe conditions on the city's transportation network.
2. Conclusion:
The proposed text amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and bears a
substantial relation to public health, safety, welfare, and protection of the environment.
3. Planning Commission Recommendation:
The Spokane Valley Planning Commission therefore recommends that the City Council
approve CTA-2023-0003.
Ordinance 23-00x — Amending chapter 22.070.030 SVMC Clearview triangle Page 2 of 7
Section 3. Amendment. Chapter 22.070.030 SVMC is hereby amended as follows:
22.070,030 Clearview Triangle
A. A sight distance is the length of roadway visible to a driver. The clearview triangle is the triangular area
calculated at the intersection of two streets or the intersection of an alley, private street or driveway, and a
street to provide the required sight distance and provide unobstructed vision to motorists and pedestrians.
1. For commercial approaches, alley approaches, and stop sign controlled intersections, the cleat -view
triangle shall be calculated pursuant to Table 22.70-1 and Figure 22.70-1.
Table 22.70-1 — Clearview Triangle Calculation for Controlled Intersections
Case Type
Yp
Through Street Speed
Distance to
Required Sight
Limit (mph)'
Point A in Feet
Distance',',' (BC) in Feet
Commercial approaches, alley approaches,
25
15
280
and stop sign controlled intersections'
30
335
35
390
Signal controlled intersection, yield
Per AASHTO Green Boole
controlled or all -way stop sign controlled
Required sight distance shall be adjusted for grades three percent or greater, more than two lanes, skewed intersections, sharp curves, posted speeds in
excess of 35 miles per hour (mph), or for vehicles other than passenger cars pursuant to the street standards as adopted pursuant to SVMC 22.130,040.
' For stop sign controlled intersections, commercial approaches, and alley approaches, use Figure 22.70-1 to determine required sight distance and
location of Point A.
' To determine the clearview triangle, locate points A and C, determine the required distance (BC/CB) using Table 22.70-1, locate point B and connect
points A, B, and C. The area enclosed by points A, B, C and the right-of-way is the clearview triangle, hatched area in Figure 22.70-1.
Ordinance 23-00x Amending chapter 22.070.030 SVMC — Clearview triangle Page 3 of 7
(B)
Figure 22.70-1— Clearview Triangle for Commercial Approaches, Alley Approaches,
and Stop Sign Controlled Intersections
CLEARVEW TRIANGLE
Ordinance 23-00x —Amending chapter 22.070.030 SVMC — Clearview triangle Page 4 of 7
2. For uncontrolled street intersections (e.g., intersecting local access streets), the clearview triangle shall
be calculated pursuant to Figure 22.70-2.
Figure 22.70-2 — Clearview Triangle for Uncontrolled Street Intersections
90 FT 94 FT
3. For noncommercial driveways, the clearview triangle shall be calculated pursuant to Figure 22.70-3.
Figure 22.70-3 — Clearview Triangle for Noncommercial Approaches
15 Fr 15 FT
CURB
tB) (C)
RIGHT-OF-WAY �C� (B) RIGHT OF -WAY
NOTE: IF NO CURB IS PRESENT,
MEASURE IN 5 FEET TOWARDS
(A) (A) THE PROPERTY LINE FROM THE
FDGE OF THE ROADWAY.
EDGE OF
DRIVEWAY
Ordinance 23-00x — Amending chapter 22.070,030 SVMC — Clearview triangle Page 5 of 7
B. Within the clearview triangle, the space between three and one-half feet and seven feet above the street, or
three feet and six and one-half feet above the sidewalk, shall be unobstructed from vegetation, structures,
signs, and other view obstructions in the manner shown pursuant to Figure 22.70-4.
Figure 22.70-4 — Clearview Triangle Vertical Clearance Requirements
,ii
L711 I
C. Exemptions. Clearview triangle requirements shall not apply to:
1. Public utility poles;
2. Trees, so long as they are not planted in the form of a hedge and the shortest branches are trirrimed to a
height of at least seven feet above the street surface;
3. Properties where the natural ground contour penetrates the clearview triangle; or
4. Traffic control devices installed by the City,
S. Parked vehicles, provided they are legally parked, currently registered, and operable.
Ordinance 23-00x — Amending chapter 22,070.030 SVMC — Clearview triangle Page 6 of 7
Section 4. Other sections —' Unchanged. AtJ other provisions of chapter 22,150 SVMC not
specifically referenced hereto shall remain in full force and effect,.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance shall be held
to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competentiurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall
not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance.
Section G. Effective Date, This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after
publication of this Ordinance or a S1,1111mary thereof in the official newspaper of the City of Spokane Valley as
provided by law.
Passed by the City Council this 5"' day of December, 2023,
"V8
, 3 .. . .....................
Pam Haley, Mayor.. Ij
A 'TEST:
Marci 1 tterson, City Clerk
Approved as to For ni: 0 ffli f the Ci� Attorncy
Date of Publication: lmc—Aq 22
Effective Date:
Ordinance 23-00x -- Amejiding chapter 22,070,030 SVMC — Clearview triangle Page 7 of 7