§ 7.4.2. Required Improvements; Private Streets.

A.

Applicability. Private streets, reserve strips, or access easements are prohibited except in multi-family and nonresidential developments, or as otherwise approved by the City Council on a case-by-case basis.

B.

Compliance. Private streets shall comply with all requirements and standards that apply to public streets for the type of development that they serve. Streets serving apartment and condominium developments and associated storm drainage shall be constructed to the residential public street standards of this Ordinance. Driveways and parking lot aisles shall not be considered as "streets."

C.

Owner's Release. At the time of purchasing property that is served by a private street that is constructed using standards that are the same as those required for public streets, upon any sale or resale of a property, the purchaser shall acknowledge by execution of a release that the street is private and not maintained by the City, and that maintenance of the street is the responsibility of the owner or other private association or entity identified in the release. The release is to be prepared using a form acceptable to the Attorney to the Columbus Consolidated Government and shall be recorded with the Clerk of the Superior Court.

D.

Other Standards. A private street subdivision shall meet all other requirements and standards that apply to public subdivisions, such as storm water runoff and detention requirements, the provision of utilities, and traffic and street name signs.

1.

Identification of Private Streets. Private streets shall be denoted as such on the street name signs for each such street.

(A)

Names of Proposed Streets. Proposed streets, which are extensions of, or in alignment with, existing or other proposed streets shall have the same name.

(B)

Duplication of Street Names. Street names shall not duplicate or be phonetically similar to existing street names.

(C)

Signs. Street name signs shall be blue in color and labeled as private along with the street name, in accordance with City requirements.

2.

Gates. Any gate placed across a private street that limits access to a subdivision or development shall provide for unimpeded access by emergency vehicles, governmental vehicles on official business, and delivery services including the U.S. Postal Service. Accessibility to such gated communities shall comply with all standards and requirements of the City for access activation, and shall be of breakaway construction.