A.    Sidewalks or other pedestrian systems approved by the plan commission shall be required in all subdivisions except administrative and agricultural subdivisions. Pedestrian ways are intended to provide opportunities for recreation, to provide access to properties in the neighborhood, and to provide links to other facilities and services. It is recognized that some pedestrian facilities will not provide an immediate link nor be part of an existing system. It is the intent of this section that over time, there will be a functional pedestrian system throughout the community.

    B.    When sidewalks are installed to meet this requirement, they shall be placed in the following locations:

    1.    Along all public and private street frontages;

    2.    In midblock locations in residentially zoned areas where blocks are over nine hundred feet in length (See Section 16.24.150); when the midblock locations are necessary to provide proper access to public or semipublic facilities, recreational areas, shopping areas, or other similar facilities.

    C.    Sidewalks shall be located in the right-of-way or in a platted pedestrian easement. A landscape strip at least four feet in width shall be retained between the sidewalk and the curb or pavement. If the plan commission finds that a location less than four feet from the curb is necessary to protect existing landscaping or natural terrain, the commission may permit a lesser separation between the sidewalk and the curb. In these cases, a minimum six inch vertical curb is required, and the sidewalk shall be one foot wider than the minimum. Sidewalks may meander within the right-of-way or easement rather than be placed parallel to the street or curb. The alignment shall be designed to preserve natural features such as existing trees or topography.

    D.    The sidewalks shall be constructed of portland cement, shall have a minimum width of five feet on collector and arterial streets and four feet on all other streets

    E.    The area between the sidewalk and curb or pavement edge shall be maintained by the adjacent property owner as a landscaped area. Street trees planted within these areas shall be of a variety appropriate to their locations, considering such factors as location of and effects on utility lines, effect on visibility, resistance to environmental conditions (such as road salt), and effect of root systems on pavements.

    F.    All public sidewalks shall comply with state and federal accessibility requirements.

    G.    In lieu of sidewalks, the plan commission may approve another pedestrian system that satisfies the intent of this chapter and of the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 99-24 § 3 (part), 1999: prior code § 28-42)