In laying out subdivisions the following design standards and requirements shall be observed, except that variations therefrom may be allowed by the planning commission where it deems them to be necessary or desirable because of particular conditions of the property, provided such variations are in keeping with good city planning and subdivision practice and are not in conflict with the public interest.
The general objective of these regulations is to ensure the orderly subdivision and development of land in the City of Franklin for the purposes authorized by the Code of Virginia and to give effect to the City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan. In considering subdivision plats, therefore, the planning commission shall take into account the specifications of the comprehensive plan as to the best use of the land, the provisions of streets, roads, floodways, drainage facilities and other public ways or spaces, and the needs of the community in general, and shall see to it that these specifications are adequately provided for in each subdivision plat. Particular attention shall be given to the location, width, and arrangement of major streets, highways, and drainage to other necessary public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, and school sites.
(a) 
Streets shall conform to the City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan.
(b) 
Streets shall connect with existing streets and shall provide access to possible adjoining subdivisions where needed.
(c) 
Streets shall intersect as nearly as possible at right angles, and jogs or offsets shall be avoided. Street lines shall be rounded at intersections, at a radius of not less than 25 feet according to expected traffic requirements.
(d) 
There shall be no private streets platted in any subdivision and no reserved strips controlling access to streets shall be permitted.
(e) 
So far as possible, streets shall conform to natural contours and shall provide for good drainage. Grades shall not exceed five percent unless approved by the commission upon recommendation of the city engineer.
(f) 
Streets shall have at least the following minimum widths of right-of-way:
(1) 
Local streets in residential districts — 50 feet.
(2) 
Other residential streets, business streets, highways, etc. — (a) 60 feet or (b) more if required to handle the expected traffic, if required by the City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan for the area concerned, or if required by any officially adopted street plan.
(g) 
When a subdivision abuts on a street which has been included in the state system of highways or the city system of streets, the subdivider shall be required to dedicate one-half of the necessary right-of-way to widen the street on each side of the street on which the subdivision is located to a width required by the current comprehensive plan or any other officially adopted street plan.
(h) 
Dead-end streets over 600 feet long to the beginning of the turn-around shall be avoided. All dead-end streets shall be provided with a turnaround at the end, having a radius at the property line of at least 50 feet.
(i) 
Street names shall not duplicate nor be similar to the names of existing streets in or near Franklin, unless they are extensions thereof. All street names shall be subject to planning commission approval.
(j) 
Alleys shall not be provided in residential areas, but may be required in business areas. Where provided, they shall be at least 20 feet wide. Dead-end alleys shall be prohibited. Utility easements shall be provided in alleys or along lot lines wherever and in such width as may be required, and utility poles and wires shall be located therein. The minimum width of utility easements shall be ten feet.
[Amended by Ord. of 9-9-2002]
(a) 
Residential blocks in major subdivisions shall not exceed 1,200 feet in length.
(b) 
Residential lots shall meet the minimum lot size requirements of the zoning district in which located.
(c) 
Corner lots. Corner lots shall have adequate widths to comply with the side yard requirements of the zoning ordinance.
(d) 
Lot widths. Lot widths shall be measured at the building line.
(e) 
Lot lines. Lot lines should be perpendicular to the street lines. Double-frontage lots shall be avoided, except that lots may rear upon a main highway where a separating buffer strip of land is provided without the right of access across such strip. Lot depths normally shall not exceed two and one-half times the width. Every lot shall front on a public street.
(f) 
Building lines. Building lines shall be established along all streets and shall be shown on the plat. In no cases shall building lines be established less than those required by the zoning ordinance. For residential lots side building lines on the street side of corner lots shall be no less than 25 feet. For nonresidential lots building lines shall be determined by the planning commission.
(g) 
Where a subdivision is traversed by a stream or other natural drainage way, the planning commission may require the subdivider to dedicate a suitable right-of-way or easement for stormwater drainage and may require the subdivider to construct adequate stormwater drainage systems.
The design criteria for utilities and facilities set forth in article XXI, "Floodplain Regulations," of the city's zoning ordinance must be complied with for property located in floodplain districts.
The subdivider shall provide easements on or off-site for proper drainage of the subdivision and shall provide the necessary easements on-site for water, sewer, electrical, cable TV and other utility lines.