A. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/developer to provide a safe and convenient pedestrian circulation linkage system as described in this section and meeting the pedestrian circulation requirements set forth in LMC 14.23.086.

B. The pedestrian linkage system is a network including the major pedestrian corridor, landscaped walkways and perimeter sidewalks. It is established to provide safe pedestrian routes; enhance the appearance of buildings and their settings; provide a unified design element to offset varying architectural styles; and to soften the appearance of parking lots and service storage areas.

C. When zero-foot setbacks are utilized, landscaping requirements for planter strips may require sidewalks to be located outside of the normal right-of-way. In such cases, an unrestricted easement across sidewalks shall be granted to the city.

D. To maximize a pedestrian-friendly environment by providing an adequate separation between pedestrians and automobile traffic, development of a planter strip with street trees and grass between the curb and sidewalk shall be a primary goal and shall be required unless specifically stated otherwise below.

E. In cases where a sidewalk exists adjacent to the curb, the sidewalk must be moved back to accommodate a new planter strip; provided, that improvements to the property necessitating site plan review and requiring conformance with this title exceed twenty-five percent of the fair market value of existing improvements at the site and the site has one hundred feet or more of lineal feet of frontage. In cases where only minor improvements to a project site are requested that do not exceed twenty-five percent of the fair market value of existing improvements at the site or the site has less than one hundred feet of frontage, the requirement for moving the sidewalk shall not be mandatory; provided, however, that in consideration of the twenty-five percent threshold all improvements at the site since the effective date of this provision shall be included in calculating the total value. The twenty-five percent value shall be determined using the valuation procedures provided for in Chapter 14.04 LMC adopting the building code for proposed improvements and assessor’s office values for current structures.

F. Where adjacent properties do not have a planter strip and the sidewalk abuts the street, the new sidewalk shall be meandered to interconnect with the existing sidewalk and will provide the required planter strip for the project’s street frontage.

G. In cases where provision of a planter strip would necessitate removal or moving of a building, provision of a planter strip shall not be required unless the site is to be redeveloped and the building removed and reconstructed as part of the proposal.

H. In cases where parking must be removed to provide the planter strip and landscaping, this shall be required, provided it leaves the site with at least seventy-five percent of the number of parking stalls required by the city zoning code or parking can be obtained on an adjacent site.

I. In cases where a minimum six-and-one-half-foot planter strip area cannot be provided because of limitations discussed above, options for different dimensions of the planter area discussed below under subsection R of this section, street tree planting requirements, may be used if approved by the department of community and economic development. Minimum planter strip requirements may not be reduced when a zero-foot front setback is proposed. Where the zero-foot front yard setback is proposed, the front of the building shall have a main pedestrian entrance. Permeable paving sidewalks are required where planter strips are not installed, if feasible.

J. Because of identified financial impacts of requirements to move existing sidewalks, the city of Lacey shall establish a local grant program for very small businesses that would otherwise not be able to afford to move the sidewalk. Very small businesses shall be defined as those businesses with less than four employees. The grant program shall provide that the city will share up to fifty percent of the costs of landscaping and sidewalk improvements. The grant may be in the form of cash, city labor, city services or other real contribution resulting in cost reduction to the recipient. The director of community and economic development is authorized to develop administrative policies and procedures in carrying out the intent and requirements of this section.

K. Where a linkage system exists or is required outside of a public right-of-way, an easement to the city of Lacey shall be required to provide continuity of public access to adjoining properties.

L. A structure may extend into or over a required linkage system or walkway only when:

M. Where a linkage system adjoins a public street, the system’s width shall be measured from the edge of the existing or proposed curb.

N. Construction standards shall be as specified in this chapter and the City of Lacey Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards.

O. A pedestrian-oriented facility may utilize a zero-foot front yard setback if it meets all of the following criteria:

P. Each segment of walkways, perimeter sidewalks and landscaping shall be maintained by the property owner, unless a special assessment district is duly established for the specific purpose of maintaining a portion of or all such pedestrian linkage and landscaping improvements. The city shall maintain the intersections of all public streets adjoining any portion of the pedestrian linkage system.

Q. A plot plan of all proposed pedestrian linkage improvements identifying all dimensions and pedestrian features shall be submitted along with the site plan for review to the city.

R. The property owner shall install street trees, in addition to any other landscaping requirements, in accordance with the City of Lacey Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards.

A street tree planting area may also include decorative paving, other plant materials and street furniture as required by LMC 14.23.086.

S. Outdoor exhibits, displays, sales, service of food or drinks, or other activities may be conducted in pedestrian open space and linkage systems, including plazas, whether or not such facilities or activities are customarily accessory to the adjacent principal use; provided, free pedestrian movement through the area without unreasonable interruption by such facilities or activities is available; and provided, said activities comply with the city’s regulations for street merchants. Areas, activities and facilities so approved may be used for regular, intermittent, or temporary special events without further permitting under these zoning regulations, but shall not be exempted hereby from requirements for other permits. (Ord. 1539 §80, 2019; Ord. 1496 §68, 2016; Ord. 1480 §18, 2015; Ord. 1220 §25, 2004; Ord. 1208 §62, 2003; Ord. 1179 §8, 2002; Ord. 1154 §10, 2001; Ord. 1131 §1 (repeals), 3, 2000; Ord. 1080 §10, 1998; Ord. 965 §§6, 7, 1993; Ord. 871 §2 (part), 1989).