HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-1964-705
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OR DIN AN CE NO.
705
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AN ORDINANCE PROVlDING RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING
THE PLATTING OR REPLATTING OF ,LAND INTO SUBDIVISIONS IN
THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND WITHIN THE EXTRA "TERRITORIAL
JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND RETAINING THE
RIGHTM'lD POWER OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE TO EXCLUDE
LAND IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS FROM THE TERMS, CONDITIONS
AND EFFECT'S OF TIllS ,ORDINANCE, AND REQUIRING PLATS AND
REPLATS TO CONFORM TO SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS IN
ORDER TO PROaJRE THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY PLANNING
AND ZONING CO:M:M:ISSION, CITY OF LA PORTE PROVIDING A
PENALTY AND SAVINGS/CLAUSE AND REPEALING ALL CON-
FLICTING ORDINANCES~ PROVIDING A PENALTY OF NOT LESS
THAN $10.00 NOR MORE TIlAN $200.00 FOR EACH DAY IN
VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS ,OF THIS ORDINANCE.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY TIlE CITY COMMISSION OF TIlE CITY OF
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SECTION 1. GENERAL.
These regulations shall govern
every person, firm, associ at i on or
cbrpo+ation owning any tract of
land within the city limits of the
City of La Port e who may hereaf t er
divide the same into two or more
parts for the purpose of laying out
any subdi vi si on of any tract of I and
or any addition to said City, or for
layi ng out suburban lot s, or
building lots, or any lots, streets,
all eys, parks or ot her port ions in-
tended for publ i c use, or t he use of
purchasers or owners of lots fronting
thereon or adjacent thereto; provided,
however, that the City of La Porte
hereby excludes from the terms, con-
ditions and effects of this ordinance
and all amendment s heret 0, land in-
eluded within the boundaries of any
lndust ri al Dist ri ct or Dist ri ct s that
may be hereafter created by the City
of La Port e under the terms of
Art i cl e 970a and amendment s t heret 0
oft heR e v i s',e d C i vi I S tat ute s 0 f the
Stat e 'of Texa s.
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SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.
2.01 ,C i t Y 0 r the C i t Y s h all mea n C i t Y 0 f
La Porte.
2.02 Sub d i vi s i on s hall mean t he d i vi s i on
of a t r act 0 rap arc, e 1 0 f 1 and i n t 0
two or more parts or lots for the
pur po's e , w h e the rim m e d i ate 0 r f u t u r e ,
of sale or building development or
t ransf er of ownershi p, and shall in-
elude re-subdivision.
2.03 Re-subdi vi si on shall mean the di vi-
sion of an existing subdivision, to-
gether with any change of lot size
therein, or with the relocation of
any street lines.
2 .04 The w 0 r d " S h all" s haIl be deemed a s
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necessary.
The word "May" shall be deemed as
permissive.
2.05 Plat s,hall mean a map or chart of the
subdi vi si on. It shall i ncl ude pI an,
pI a tor r e pIa t, i n bot h sin g u 1 a ran d
plural.
2 .06 Com m i s s ion 0 r PIa n n i n g Com m i s s ion
s ,h all mea nth e City PIa n n i n g and
Z 0 n'i n g Com m i s s ion.
S E C T ION 3. PURPOSE, AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION.
. Under t he aut hori t y of Article 974a
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of the Revised Civil Statutes of the
S tat e 0 f T e x.a s , w h i c h art i c lei she r e b y
,made a part of these regul at ions, the
City Planni ng Commi ssi on of t he City of
La Porte does hereby adopt~he following
regulatIons to hereafter control the
subdivision of land ,within the corporate
limits of t he City of La Port e and in the
unincorporated areas lying within the
extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City
of La Porte in order to provide for the
orderly development of the areas and to
secure adequate provision for traffic,
light, air, recreation, transportation,
water, draingge, sewage and other facili-
tie s; pro v i d 'e d , how eve r , t hat the C i t Y 0 f
La Porte exc-Iudes from the terms, condi-
tions and effects of this ordinance and
all amendments heret 0, I and i ncl uded
within the boundaries of any Industrial
District or Districts that may be here-
after created by the City of La Porte under
the terms of Art i cl e 970a and amendment s
the r e too f the Rev i sed Gi v i I S tat ute S 0 f the
State of Texas. It shall be unlawful for any
owner or agent of any owner of land to lay-
out, subdivide, plat or replat any land into
lot s, hlocks and st reet s wi t hi n t he City
without the approval of the Planning Commission.
It shall al sO he unl awful f or any such owner
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or agent to offer for sale
or sell property therein or thereby, which has not been
laid out, subdivided, platted or replatted with the ap-
proval of the Planning Commission subsequent to the
passage of this Ordinance.
3.01 The City hereby defines its policy to be that the City will
withhold aU city improvements of whatsoever nature, in-
eluding the maintenance of streets and the furnishing of
sewage facilities and water service from all additions and
subdivisions, the platting which has not been approved by
the Planning Commission.
3.02 No street number' and no building permit shall be issued for
the erection of any building in the City on any piece of pro-
perty other than an original or a re-subdivided lot in a
duly approved and recorded subdivision wi.thout the written
approval of the Planning Commission.
3.03 The attention of each subdivider is directed to Article 6626
of the Revised Civil Statutes of the State of Texas amendments,
which state, in part:
"That in cases of subdivision or resubdivision of real pro-
perty no map or plat of any such subdivision or re-subdivi-
sion shall be filed or recorded unless and until the same has
been authori~ed by the Commissioners Court of the County in
which the real estate is situated, by order duly entered in the
minutes of said Court, except in cases of the partition or
other subdivision through a Court of Record; provided that
where the real estate is situated within the corporate limits
of any incorporated city or town, the governing body thereof
or the city planning commission, as the case may be, as
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provided in Article 974a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes,
shall perform the duties hereinabove imposed upon the
Commissioners Court. "
SECTION 4. PROCEDURE.
4.01 PRELIMINARY PLAT:
The developer or owner of the land to be subdivided shall
submit a preliminary plat of the entire area under one owner-
ship at the time the preliminary plat is submitted. Three
copies of a preliminary plat shall be submitted to the City
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Engineer for presentation t~ the Planning Commission ten
(10) days prior to the meeting at which approval is asked. The
plat shall be drawn to a scale of one hundred feet to one inch
(lit = 100'), or larger, and shall show or be accompanied by
the following information.
1. Title of Plat Should Show:
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(a) Name of subdivi~ion (check for duplication).
(b) Legal description of locations of subdivision.
(c) Total acreage and total number of lots and blocks.
(d) Name of owners (and address unless given in letter
of transmittal). If owner is a company or corpora-
tion, name of responsible individual such as
president or vice-president must be given.
(e) Name of registered engineer or registered public
surveyor.
(f) Scale: 1" : 100' (consent of Planning Commission
needed for smaller scale and then only if lots are
more than 1/2 acre in area).
(g) North Point, north to be at top of sheet if possible.
(h) Date, each revision to bear new date.
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2. Key Map: Key map to show relation of subdivision to well-
known streets, railroads, and water courses in all direc-
tions to a distance of at least one mile. Suggested scale:
lit : 1 mile.
3. Boundaries:
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(a) Ownership drawn in very hea vy lines, with overall
dimensions and bearings.
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(b) Lines outside of boundaries of proposed addition
to be da shed.
(c) Provide a tie to a well established point for plats
inside City or to a survey corner if outside the City.
4. Adjacent Property: Name and adjacent boundary location
of subdivisions, streets, easements, pipelines, water
courses, etc., if acreage tracts, show as such.
5. Topography: Water courses and ravines, showing high
bank and width of existing or proposed easements.
6. Special Uses: Designate any sites for churches, sewage
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disposal plants, water plants, business, industry, or
other special land uses. If proposed use is unknown, desig-
nate as unrestricted. Where a proposed site for a school,
park or public building plans to be located on the area
taken in by the proposed addition, such site shall be re-
served on the proposed plat for the proposed facility.
4.02 ACTION ON PRELIMINARY PLAT BY PLANNING COMMISSION.
1. Following review of the preliminary plat and negotiations
with the subdivider on changes deemed advisable and the
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kind and extent of improvements to be made by him, the
Planning Commission shall, within 30 days, act thereon as
submitted, or modified, and if approved shall express its
approval as "Conditional Approval" and state the conditions
of such approval, if any, or if disapproved, shall express
its disapproval and the reasons therefor.
2. The action of the Planning Commission shall be noted on
three copies of the Preliminary Plat, and any conditions of
either approval or disapproval shall be attached to and/or
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referred to each plat. One copy shall be returned to the
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subdivider, 'one copy retained by the City Engineer.
3. Approval of the preliminary plat does not constitute
acceptance of the subdivision, but is merely authority to
proceed with the preparation of the final or record plat.
No work shall be done on the subdivision before the
final plat is accepted and recorded. Approval of a pre-
liminary plat expires at the end of 90 days, unless final
or record plat has been submitted to the Planning
Commission. If any major changes are required by the
Planning Commission, the City Engineer may require
submission of another preliminary plat.
4.03 FINAL OR RECORD PLAT.
Two white print copies of the final or record plat and one
reproducible tracing ot"the final plat shall be submitted to
the Planning Commission after the preliminary plat has
been a~proved and all required changes and alterations
made. No final plat will be considered unless a preli-
minary plat has first been submitted. Such plats shall be
filed with the City Engineer at least ten (10) days prior to
the meeting at which approval is requested. The final plat
shall show or be accompanied by the following data.
1. Plats shall be drawn upon sheets 24 x 36 inches to the
scale of one hundred feet to the inch.
2. A" title including name of subdivision, owner or owners,
and licensed land surveyor or registered engineer or
registered public surveyor responsible for the plat, and
the scale and location of the subdivision with reference
to original land grants or surveys, the date and north
point.
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3. The certificate of the registered engineer or licensed
surveyor who surveyed, mapped and monumented the
land shall be placed on the face of the plat.
4. A certificate of ownership and dedication of all streets,
easements, alleys, park and playgrounds to public use
forever, signed and acknowledge before a Notary Public
by the owner and lien-holder of the land.
5. An accurate on-the-ground boundary survey of the pro-
perty with bearings and distances and showing the lines
of all adjacent land, streets, easements, and alleys with
their names and width. (Streets, alleys and lot lines in
adjacent subdivision shall be shown dotted). All neces-
sary data to reproduce the plat on the ground must be
shown on the plat.
6. Certificate of approval to be signed by the members of
the Planning Commission shall be placed on the face of
the plat.
7. Two sets of plans and specifications for water, sewer,
paving and drainage prepared by a registered engineer,
which must be approved by the City Engineer prior to
the beginning of any construction of the subdivision.
8. Before the final or record plat is approved, a bond equal
to the estimated cost of the proposed improvements to
the subdivision as prepared by the Owner's registered
engineer and approved by the Planning Commission shall
.be presented to the City. Said cost shall include the cost
of off-site construction necessary to serve the subdivi-
sion but shall be less the City's share of any im-
provemen ts.
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9. A letter from the City Engineer to the apP!opriate
drainage Commission addressed to the Planning
Commission stating that plans for drainage of the sub-
division are approved.
10. A letter from the servicing utility companies stating
that the plat includes the easements required by them
in the furnishing of utilities to this and future subdivi-
sions.
11. Two copies of deed restrictions.
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4. 04 ACTION ON FINAL PLAT BY PLANNING COMMISSION.
1. Following a review of the final plat, and when to the
satisfaction of the City Engineer, all conditions and re-
quirements have been met, the City Planning Commission
shall approve the said plat.
2. Should the final plat as submitted fail to meet the condi-
tions and requirements of the City Engineer, then the
Planning Commission shall disapprove said plat and note
its disapproval thereon, and attach thereto a statement of
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the reasons for disapproval.
3. Approval or disapproval of the final plat shall be voted by
the Planning Commission within 30 days after submission
of said final plat.
SECTION 5. GENERAL STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISIONS.
5. 01 STREETS, ROADS, ALLEYS, EASEMENTS - EXISTING OR
PROPOSED AND ADJACENT:
General: The street pattern of a neighborhood should pro-
vide adequate circulation within the subdivision and yet
discourage excessive through traffic on local streets. This
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may be accomplished by providing adequate major
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thoroughfares spaced at approximately one-mile intervals
in accordance with the Thoroughfare Plan and secondary
through streets within the neighborhood spaced at about
half-mile intervals to provide reasonable access to all
points in the neighborhood.
1. Major street locations, alignments, widths, and cross-
sections are to be determined by the Planning Commis-
sion and designated on the Throughfare Plan and
Thoroughfare improvement standards plates.
, 2. Major streets with a right-of-way width of less than 100
feet are to be increased to a width of 100 feet for a dis-
tance of ISO feet at the approach to a major street inter-
section, with a transition back to normal right-of-way
over a distance of an additional 150 feet. Where such
widening is provided, the building line may be held on
an extension of the adjacent line so long as the setback
is not less than required in Item 5. 07-1-(a}.
3. Major. Street Curves:
(a) Curves in major streets are to have a center line
radius of 2, 000 feet or more with exceptions to this
standard granted only by the Planning Commission.
(b) Reverse curves are to be separated by a minimum
tangent of 100 feet.
4. Local or residential streets shall have a minimum right-
of-way width of 50 feet.
5. Local or Residential Street Curves:
(a) Curves in local or residential streets are to have a
center line radius of 300 feet or more.
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(b) Secondary or collector streets are to have a center line
radius of 800 feet or more with exceptions to this stand-
ard granted only by the Planning Commission.
6. Local or residential street offsets, when approved by
the Planning Commission, must offset a minimum dis-
tance of 125 feet on center line.
7. Intersections:
(a)All streets, major and local, are to intersect at a
90 degree angle, variations of 10 degrees on local
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streets and 5 degrees on major or secondary streets
subject to the approval of the Planning Commission.
(b) Acute angle intersections approved by the Planning
Commission are to have 25-foot radii at acute
corners.
(c) Street intersections with or extending to meet an
existing street will be tied to the existing street on
center line with dimensions and bearings to show re-
lationship.
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8. Cul-de-sac (dead -end streets with turn -arounds):
(a) Turn-arounds are to have a minimum right-of-way
radius of 50 feet for single-family use and 60 feet
for apartments, commercial, or other uses, except
that turn-arounds where other than curb and gutter de-
velopment is used shall have a minimum right-of-way
radius of 60 feet adjacent to land to be used for single-
family residences and 70 feet adjacent to land to be
used for other than single-family residences.
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(b) Maximum length of a dead -end street with a permanent
turn -around is to be 500 feet.
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(c) Temporary turn -arounds are to be used where curb
and gutter is not installed at the end of a street more
than 400 feet long that will be extended in the future.
(d) Note for Temporary Turn-around: "Cross-hatched area
is temporary easement for turn -around until street is
extended (direction) in a recorded plat".
9. Block Length:
(a) Maximum block length for residential is to be 1200 feet,
measured along the center of the block.
(b) Maximum block length along a major thoroughfare is to
be 1600 feet, except under special conditions and upon a p-
proval by the Planning Commission.
10. Partial or Half-Streets: Partial or half-streets may be pro-
vided where the Commission feels that a street should be lo-
cated on a property line. Inside the city limits, the partial
street may be dedicated, with a one-foot reserve in fee along
the property line. Outside the city limits, the following note
shall be used on such partial streets:
"This f~ot strip is dedicated as an easement for
all utility purposes including storm and sanitary sewers and
shall automatically become dedicated for street purposes
when and insofar as a foot strip adjacent to it is so
dedicated" .
11. Provisional one-foot reserve to be used along the side or end
of streets tha~ abut acreage tracts, as follows:
"One-foot reserve dedicated to the public in fee as a buffer
separation between the side or end of streets in subdivision
plats where such streets abut adjacent acreage tracts, the
condition of such dedication being that when the adjacent
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property is sub-divided in a recorded plat, the one-
foot reserve shall thereupon become vested in the public
for street right-of-way purposes (and the fee title thereto
shall revert to and revest in the dedicator, his heirs,
assigns, or successors".
12. Temporary Right-of-way: To be used to comply with
Harris County Road Law requiring minimum street width
of 60 feet, as follows:
"Cross-hatched strip
foot wide to be temporarily
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dedica ted for street purposes and will revert to the adja -
cent lot owners upon and to the extent of the acquisition
feet for street purposes on the opposite side of
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the street".
13. Street Names:
(a) Street names to be continuations of existing street
names adjacent to or on line, if they are not duplications.
(b) Proposed new names must be submitted to the City Engi-
neer for checking prior to the submittal of final plat.
14.
Data (Preliminar lats to have a roximate
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(a) Streets:
(1) Complete curve data (A; L; R; C; P. R. C.; P. T.)
shown on center line or each side 'of street.
(2) Length and bearings of all tangents.
(3) Dimensions from all angle points and points of
curve to an adjacent side lot line.
(b) Lots: Complete bearings and dimensions for front, rear
and side lot lines.
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(c) Water Courses and Easements:
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(1) - Distances to be provided along the side lot lines from
_ the front lot line to the point where the side line crosses
the drainage easement line or the high bank of a stream.
(2) Traverse line to be provided along the edge of all large
water courses in a convenient location, preferable along
a utility easement if paralleling the drainage easement
or stream.
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S. 02 ALLEYS.
When alleys are provided, they shall have a minimum width
of 20 feet.
5.03 SIDEWALKS.
Sidewalks shall be provided in all subdivisions. Sidewalks
will be required in front of all lots. Exceptions to this re-
quirement may be granted by the Planning Commission where
a sidewalk along side of corner lot would serve no useful pur-
pose.
5.04 LOTS.
General: The lot design of a neighborhood should provide
for lots of adequate width and depth to provide open area and
to eliminate overcrowaing. Lots should be rectangular so
far as practicable and should have the side lot lines at right
angles to the streets on which the lot faces or radial to
curved street lines. Lots with double frontage are prohibited
except under special conditions and upon approval by the
Planning Commission.
1. All lots shown on the plat will be for residential pur-
poses unless otherwise noted.
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Side lot lines should be perpendicular or radial to street
frontage and the following note may be in lieu of bearings.
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"All side lot lines are either perpendicular or radial to
street frontage unless otherwise noted".
3. Rear and side driveway access to major thoroughfares
shall be prohibited.
4. Double front lots are prohibited except when backing on
major thoroughfares.
5.
Minimum Lot Sizes:
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(a) 60 foot width.
(b) 100 foot depth, unless otherwise approved.
(c) Radial lots to have minimum width of 50 feet at the
building line.
(d) Lot area minimum, 6, 000 square feet where served
by sanitary sewers.
(e) Corner lots with a width of less than 70 feet are to be
5 feet wider than the average interior lots in the block.
(f) Corner lots with a width of less than 80 feet siding on a
major thoroughfare are to be at least 15 feet wider than
the average interior lots in the block.
(g) Lots facing or backing on a major thoroughfare shall be
at least 10 feet deeper than average interior lot depths.
(h) Lot width definition -average of front and rear lot di-
mensions.
(i) Minimum usable lot depths for lots backing on natural
drainage easements-70 feet between front lot line and
drainage easement.
5.05 RESERVES (Land to be used for other than Residential Purposes).
1.
Reserves are to be labeled A, B, C rather than numbered
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as blocks and lots.
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Minimum building lines are to be provided for reserves.
(See Item 5.07-3).
5. 06 NUMBERING.
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1. . Blocks are to be numbered consecutively within the overall
plat and/or sections of an overall plat as recorded';'
2. All lots are to be numbered consecutively within each
block. Lot numbering continues from block to block in a
uniform manner that has been approved on an overall pre-
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. 5.07 BUILDING LINES.
1. Residential:
(a) Minimum 25 feet building lines in front of all lots and
10 feet on side of corner lots.
(b) Lots adjacent to major thoroughfares -minimum 35
foot front building line when lots are facing on tho-
roughfares, or minimum 20 feet side building line
when lots side on thoroughfares.
(c) Front building lines may be reduced to 20 feet in
. special cases where lot depths are less than 105 feet.
(d) Minimum side building lines are 5 feet except on cor-
ner lots.
2. Apartments: Minimum 20 feet on front of all lots and 10
feet on side of all corner lots.
3. Commercial, industrial or other special uses other than
residential:
(a) When' adjacent property has residential lots facing, a
minimum of 25 foot building line is required.
e (b) Minimum 10 foot building line on the front of all lots
and 10 feet on the side of corner lots.
4. Transition building lines having a minimum angle of 45 de-
grees are to be provided where an offset in building lines
is greater than 5 feet.
5.08 EASEMENTS.
1. Drainage Easements:
(a) Location and width to be determined by the City Engi-
neer for plats within the city limits and the County
- Flood Control Engineer for plats outside the city or
with the city adjacent to bayous or other drainage ar-
teries for which the County Flood Control District is
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primarily responsible.
(b) Easements for drainage adjacent to lots, tracts, or re-
serves shall be noted:
"This easement shall be kept clear of fences, buildings,
planting, and other obstructions to the operations and
maintenance of the drainage facility and abutting property
shall not be permitted to drain into this easement except
by means of an approved drainage structure".
Utility easements to be worked out with the public and private
utility companies.
Platting of public streets or easements across private easements
or fee strips.
(a) A copy of the instrument establishing any private easement
shall be submitted with the preliminary plat.
(b) Easement boundaries must be tied by dimensions to adja -
cent lot and tract corners. Where the private easement
has no defined location or width, an effort shall be made to
reach agreement on a defined easement. Where no agree-
ment can be reached, then pipelines shall be accurately lo-
cated and tied to lot lines, and building setback lines shall
be shown at a distance of ten feet from and parallel to the
center line of the pipeline.
(c) , Prior to approval of the final plat, the developer or dedicator
of any subdivision plat wherein public streets or easements
are shown crossing private easements or fee strips, shall
by letter to the City Planning Commission assume re-
sponsibility for seeing that any adjustments and protection
of existing pipelines, electrical transmission lines, or other
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facilities shall be planned and provided for to the satis-
faction of the holder of the pri va te ea sements or fee
strips and the City Engineer prior to the filing of the
pIa t for records.
(d) Prior to filing, of the final plat for record, the following
requirements must be met:
(1) The developer or dedicator of any plat shall obtain
from the holder of any private easement or fee strip
within the plat crossed by proposed streets or other
public easements an instrument granting to the public
the use of said public streets or easements over and
across said private easements or fee strips for con-
struction, operation, and maintenance of those public
facilities normally using the type of public streets and
easements indicated. This instrument shall be delivered
to the City Planning Commission to be filed for re~ord
along with the plat.
(2) The developer shall furnish the Planning Commission
with a letter from the holder of the private easements or
fee- strips in question stating that arrangements for any
required adjustments in pipelines, electrie transmission
lines, or other similar facilities have been made to the
satisfaction of the holder of the easements.
(3) The developer shall provide the Planning Commission
with a letter from the City Engineer stating that arrange-
ments for all matters pertaining to any necessary ad-
justments have been made to the satisfaction of the
Department.
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5.09 PARK, PLAYGROUND AND SCHOOL SITES.
1. Parks and P1ay~rounds:
(a) Park and playground sites shall be reserved as
indicated on the Park Plan. Size shall be in accor-
dance with the Planning Commission's Plan for the
_ Park System. After- approval of the preliminary
plat and before submission of the final plat the City
shall negotiate contract to purchase the park area.
If the City does not do so, the developer may, at his
option, subdivide the area for lots or hold it for City
purchase in the future.
(b) Park sites within the city limits will be purchased at
the developer's acreage cost plus a prorated cost for
improvements.
(c) It is requested, but not required, that park sites out-
side the City be reserved for two years for purchase
at the developer's cost plus prorated cost of im-
provements.
2. School Sites: Location and size to be in accordance'with
the requirements of the school district.
SECTION 6. SURVEY REQUIREMENTS.
6.01 Monuments, consisting of 3/4 inch iron.pipe or larger, 36
inches in length, shall be placed at all corners of the block
lines, the point of intersection of curves and tangents of the
subdivision, and sunk 6 inches below the finish.
6.02 One bench mark for each five acres of property or fraction
thereof shall be permanently installed in an approved manner,
with their location and the elevation shown on the plat. Datum
shall be U. S. G. S. or U. S. C. & G. S.
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6.03
SECTION 7.
7.01
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7.02
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7.03
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Lot markers shall be 5/8" iron rods, at least
twenty-four (24) inches in length, placed at each
corner of all lots, flush with the average ground
elevation, or they may be counter-sunk, if neces-
sary to avoid being disturbed.
PAYMENT.
The subdivider shall pay all cost for providing the
subdivision with streets, water, sanitary sewer, and
storm sewer in accordance with the requirements of
the subdivision, and in accordance with plans and
specifications for such improvements approved by the
City Engineer. The subdivider- shall pay to the City an.
amount equal to ten (10) times the difference between
the annual rate for the streehlights installed and the
.. annual rate for the street lights which are normally
installed, in existing subdivisions:: which are not covered
by this Ordinance. This money is to be paid by the sub-
divider to the City prior to the beginning of construction
of the subdivision.
CONSTRUCTION.
The subdivider may award the contract for the installa-
tion of the approved improvements and make payment
directly to the Contractor, or as an alternate, the sub-
divider may present the approved plans and specifica-
tions for the approved improvements to the City Com-
mission and the City Commission shall advertise for
bids and award the contract and the subdivider shall
pay to the City the cost of the Contract.
INSPECTION.
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The installation of the approved improvements shall
be under the inspection of the City Engineer or his
representative and the City Engineer shall approve the
installation as being in accordance with the approved
plans and specifications before the City Commission
will accept the subdivision or the improvements.
SECTION 8. REIMBURSEMENT FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
8.01 All improvements required in a subdivision will be in-
stalled at developer's cost, unless otherwise provided.
The cost of utilities and/or streets which are required
by the City to be larger than would normally be needed
to serve the proposed addition will be partially reim-
bursed. The reimbursible amount will be the difference
between the cost of the facilities that would be adequate
to serve the addition and the cost of the facilities re-
quired by the City. A reimbursement contract will be
negotiated between the City Commission and the develo-
per.
AS BUILT PLANS.
SECTION 9.
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SECTION 10.
The Engineer representing the subdivider must present
to the City Engineer, reproducible complete "as built
plans" for all paving, drainage structures, water lines
and sewer lines within thirty (30) days after completion
of each contract.
FEES AND CHARGES.
The following schedule of fees and charges shall be
paid into the general fund of the City of La Porte when
any map or plat is tendered to the City Engineer, and
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each of the fees and charges provided herein shall
be 'paid in advance, and City Planning Commission
shall take no action until the fee shall have been paid.
The City Engineer or his deputies or assistants shall
calculate the fees and charges in accordance with the
following schedule:
Preliminary Plats: $5.00 per plat plus $.50 per lot,
plus $2.50 per acre for other uses. *
Final Plats: $10.00 per plat, plus $. 75 per lot plus'
.
$2.50 per acre for other uses. *
, The above fees shall be charged on all plats, regard-
less of the action taken by the Planning Commission.
*Any land within the boundaries of the plat that is not
divided for normal residential lot, but is intended for
apartments, commercial, industrial, etc.
SECTION 11.
ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR
SUBDIVISIONS.
11. 01 STREETS.
All streets shall be reinforced concrete pavements on
.
a compacted subgrade. Concrete pavement shall be
provided with either an integral curb poured with the
pavement or a separate curb constructed on top of, and
doweled to the concrete pavement.
1. Alignment: Alignment of streets shall be as
hereinbefore stated in GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
AND DESIGN STANDARDS.
2. Grades: Gutter gradients shall be a minimum of
one-quarter (1/4) of one (1) per cent. Crown sections
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shall slope not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch per foot
for Portland cement concrete. The minimum drop
around curb return will be one -tenth (1/10) of one (1)
foot, The maximum drop of grade tangents from op-
posite directions to a common low point shall not ex-
ceed one and one-half (1-1/2) feet. All gutter grades
shall be above the design water surface of ditches and
storm sewers. All grade changes with an algebraic
difference of one (1) per cent or more shall be con-
.
nected with a vertical curve.
3. Width: Minimum width of streets shall be as follows:
Classification
Row
Width
Street width back
to back of curb
Major Streets
Secondary or
Collector
Local or
Residential
80'
60'
50'
60'
40'
28'
4.
Pavement Design:
Pavement design shall conform to
the following general requirements unless otherwise ap-
.
proved by the Planning Commission and City Engineer.
References to Texas Highway Department specifications
regarding street work are references to the "Standard
Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction", adopted
by the State Highway Department of Texas, January 2, 1961.
(a) Concrete Pavement: Concrete pavement shall con-
form to the requirements of Item 360 Texas Highway
Department, Standard Specification. Concrete
pavements shall have a minimum thtckness of si~
(6) inches for Local or Residential Streets and a
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minimum thickness of seven (7) inches for Secondary
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Streets, Feeder Streets and Major Streets, Concrete
pavement shall be reinforced with 3/8 inch deformed
bars at eighteen (18) inches center to center each way.
Subgrade to be compacted six (6) inches to not less
than 95% proctor density.
5. Curb and Gutter: Curb and combination curb and gutter
shall be constructed of reinforced concrete. Cross-
section and shapes shall conform to standards on file
with the City Engineer.
6. Sidewalks: Sidewalks shall be a minimum of.;.'four (4)
feet in width, and constructed of a minimum of four (4)
inches of Portland Cement Concrete reinforced with
l. te1' gauge 6 x 6 wire mesh.
7. Laboratory Control: All concrete shall be designed
and controlled by a competent laboratory. All subgrade
and soils control shall be under laboratory control.
Laboratory selection shall be made by the City Engi-
neer prior to commencement of work and shall be paid
by the developer.
11.02 ' ALLEYS.
1. Pavement Type: All alleys shall be concrete, con-
forming to standards for streets, except curb and
gutter shall not be required.
2. Pavement Width: A minimum paved width of ten
(10) feet shall be required for all alleys.
3. Drainage: Drainage shall be collected by swales
outside the edge of the pavement w"fu:ere~no concrete
gutter is provided. Depth of swale shall be as
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11. 03
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required for drainage with a minimum slope of one-half
(1/2) of one (1) per cent.
DRAINAGE AND STORM SEWERS.
Adequate drainage shall be provided within the limits of the
subdivisions. The protection of adjoining property will be
considered in the review of plans submitted.
1. Size: Sizing of inlets, storm sewers, outfalls, culverts,
and drainage ditches will be based on the following:
(a) Design Storm: The design storm will be based
on rainfall intensity-frequency data published
by the Department of Agriculture by David L. Yarnell.
Interior drainage system will be designed for a
storm with a frequency of occurrence of onee in
five years. The intensity of a 60 minute rainfall
on this frequency is 2. 80 inches. Major drainage
ditches and structures will be designed for a storm
with a frequency of occurrence of once in twenty-five
years. The intensity of a 60 minute rainfall on this
frequency is 3. 75 inches.
(b) Runoff Computations: To determine the runoff rates
for the various areas, the standards rational method
will be used, utilizing the formula Q -=- CIA, where
Q ~ rate of runoff in cubic feet per second, C = runoff
coefficient, 1= rainfall intensity for the particular
duration in inches per hour, and A = the drainage
area in acres. Drainage areas will be arrived at
by considering location of high and low points on
street grades, drainage divides in the area, and
general configuration of existing and finished grades.
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2.
(c) Sizing of Sewers: Sewers shall be sized to carry the
discharge (Q) derived from the above formula.
Capacity of storm sewers will be determined by the use
of Mannings formula on the basis of hydraulic gradients
rather than the physical slope of the pipe. Minimum size
of storm sewer shall be 15 inches.
(d) Sizing and Spacing of Inlets: Inlets shall be spaces
so that maximum travel distance of water in gutter will
not exceed 600 feet. Inlets will be provided at all low
points in gutter gradient. Inlets will be sized using an
allowable capacity of one (1) cubic foot per second per
foot of opening for a throat height of five (5) inches.
(e) Ditches: Ditches shall be sized to carry the runoff (Q)
deri ved from the above formula.
Design: Design off::storm sewers, outfalls, culverts, and
drainage ditches will conform to the following general re-
quirements:
(a) Manholes: Manholes (inlets or junction boxes) shall be
provided at all changes in grade or alignment, sewer
intersections, street intersections, and at a maximum
of 1,000 feet on straight lines. If monolithic, reinforced c
concrete sewer lines are used, a manhole is not re-
quired where leads from inlets intersect the main
_ sewer. Design of manholes shall follow acceptable
engineering practice, and shall be constructed of brick
or reinforced concrete.
(b) ,Inlets: Design of inlets shall follow acceptable engineer-
ing practice, and walls shall be constructed of rein -
forced concrete or brick.
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(c) Pipe: Pipe for storm drains shall be concrete pipe
in sizes as shown on the approved plans. Pipe
twenty-one (21) inches or larger in diameter shall be
reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), ASTM C76, Class 3,
Pipe eighteen (18) inches or smaller in diameter shall
be plain concrete pipe (PC)l\STM C14, standard strength.
Where, in the opinion of the City Engineer, added
strength of pipe is needed for traffic loads over mini-
mum cover or for excessive height of backfill, concrete
pipe shall be ASTM C14 Extra Strength or ASTM C76,
Class IV or V. Pipe shall have a minimum cover of not
less than one (1) foot over the top of pipe. Monolithic,
reinforced concrete sewers may be used for storm
Sewers thirty-six (36) inches and larger.
(d) Ditches: Drainage ditches, where approved by the
Planning Commission, may be used for outfaUs to
natural or major drainage channels. Ditches shall have
a minimum grade of not less than 0.10 per cent and side
slopes not steeper than 3:1.
(e) Outfalls: Outfalls from sewers and ditches into
natural drainage ways shall enter at the grade of the
natural drainage channel. If necessary, drop type out-
fall structures shall be used to prevent erosion.
(f) Major Drainage Ways and Structures: Design of major
drainage ways through a subdivision and major structures
such as box culverts or bridges, across a major drainage
channel, shall be coordinated with Harris County Fa:6b.a
Control District.
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11. 04 WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM.
The developer will be required to submit a certifica te to the
City Engineer, certifying that the systems have been designed
in accordance with the requirements of,the State Health De-
partment, the Texas Board of Insurance Commissioners, and
existing laws.
The developer of the subdivision shall provide all water and
sewer lines necessary to properly serve the subdivision.
1. Sewer Lines:
(a) Location: Where the location of the sewer is not
clearly defined by dimensions on the drawings, the
sewer shall not be closer horizontally than ten (19)
feet to a water supply main or service line. Gravity
sewer lines passing over water lines shall be cons-
tructed for a distance of ten (10) feet each side of
the crossing with cast iron or asbestos -cement
pipe with no joints within three (3) feet of crossing.
(b) Materials: Sewer lines may be of the following
materials:
(1) Vitrified clay pipe PVC joints and fittings con-
forming to ASTM C - 261- 60T, Cia ss II (Standard
Strength). Extra strength where required by
City Engineer.
(2) Concrete pipe and fittings with rubber gasket
joints, conforming to ASTM C-14 (non -reinforced,
standard strength). Extra strength where re-
quired by City Engineer.
(c) Construction: Sewers shall be constructed accor-
ding to City Engineer's specifications as to
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trenching, backfill, bedding, and compaction.
Asbestos -cemen t pipe and fittings conforming to
, ASTM G42B-63T plain or with epoxy lining where
required by the City Engineer.
(d) Manholes: Manholes shall be spaced a distance not to
exceed four hundred (400) feet and shall be constructed
in accordance with the specification of the City
Engineer.
(e) Forced Mains: Forced mains shall be cast iron or
asbestos -cement pipe and fittings, Pressure Class.
Pipe shall have either mechanical joints or rubbert
gasket joint approved by the City Engineer.
Wa ter Lines :-
(a) Piping: Piping for water mains and connection shall be
cast iron, asbestos -cement or equal, Class 150, either
mechanical joints or single rubber gasket joint approved
by the City Engineer. The pipe and accessories shall be
new and unused. All cast iron pipe and fittings shall
conform to American Standard A2l. 2, A 21. 6, or A2l. B.
All asbestos -cement pipe shall conform to ASTM C - 296-
63T and shall be tested according to ASTM C-500-65~.
Hydrants: Fire hydrants shall be within five hundred (500) feet
of all dwellings in the proposed addition. Fire hydrants shall
be located on six (6) inch or larger lines, looped with six (6)
inch or larger lines.
(a) Threading: Threading on fire hydrant outlets shall be
suitable for use with City fire protection equipment.
(b) V~lves: At intersections of water distribution lines, the
number of ~alijes:-'W'iIli,;b,esone less than the number of
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radiating lines (two valves for the connection and three
for cross connection).
11.05 STREET LIGHTING.
.
SECTION 12.
SECTION 13.
.
SECTION 14.
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Street lighting shall conform to the latest edition of the
Illuminating Engineering Society Handbook. Round
tapered standards with bracket arms shall be used.
Lighting levels are recommended for very light traffic,
medium traffic on feeder streets, and heavy traffic on
thoroughfares.
PENAL TIES.
Any person violating this Ordinance or any portion
thereof shall upon conviction be guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall bei fined not less than $10. 00 nor more than
$200.00 and each day that such violation continues shall
constitute a separate offense and be punishable
accordingly.
CONFLICTING OR DIN AN CES.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here-
with are hereby expressly repealed.
If any section, sub-section, sentence, clause or phrase
of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitu-
tional, such unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity
of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The Board of
Commissioners of the City of La Porte hereby declares
that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section,
sub-section, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irre-
spective of the fact that anyone or more sections,
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sub-sections, sentence, elauses or phrases be de-
elared unconstitutional.
This Ordinance shall be effective on and after the tenth
day after the second of two publications of the caption
hereof after passage and approval.
O/~
day of .e,er
PASSED and APPROVED this 1411I
1964.
ATTEST:
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City Clerk of the City of La Porte
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THE STATE OF TEXAS 0
COUNTY OF HARRIS ~
CITY OF LA PORTE 0
I, Betty T. Waters, City Secretary of the Citycof
r
La Porte, Texas 00 hereby certify that the attached is
a true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 705, pages 19,
20 and 21 passed and approved and adopted by the City
Council of the City of La Porte at a regular meeting
thereof duly called and held on the 14th day of September,
1964, as same appears of record in the minutes of said
meeting, at which meeting a quorum of the City Council
was present and all present voted for the approval, passage
and adoption of said ordinance.
TO CERTIFY WHICH WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL OF
the City of La Porte, this the 13th day of January, 1981.
f~
City of La Porte
4~tf!~
City Secretary
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['. 5.07 BUILDING LINES.
1. Residential:
(a) Minimum 25 feet building lines in front of all lots and
. 10 feet on side of corner lots.
(b) Lots adjacent to major thoroughfares -minimum 35
foot front building line when lots are facing on tho-
roughfares, or minimum 20 feet side building line
when lots side on thoroughfares.
(c) Front building lines may be reduced to 20 feet in
(- special cases where lot depths are less than 105 fee.t.
(d) Minimum side building lines are 5 feet except on cor-
ner lots.
2. Apartments: Minimum 20 feet on front of all lots and 10
feet on side of all corner lots.
3. Commercial, industrial or other special uses other than
residential:
(a) When adjacent property has residential lots facing, a
minimum of 25 foot building line is required.
( (b) Minimum 10 foot building line on the front of all lots
and 10 feet on the side of corner lots.
4. Transition building lines having a minimum angle of 45 de-
grees are to be provided where an offset in building lines
is grea ter tha n 5 feet.
5.08 EASEMENTS.
1. Drainage Easements:
(a) Location and width to be determined by the City Engi-
neer for plats within the city limits and the County
Flood Control Engineer for plats outside the city or
C" with the city adjacent to bayous or other drainage ar-
teries for which the County Flood Control District is
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primarily responsible.
(b) Easements for drainage adjacent to lots, tracts, or re-
serves shall be noted:
"This easement shall be kept clear of fences, buildings,
planting, and other obstructions to the operations and
maintenance of the drainage facility and abutting property
shall not be permitted to ~rain into this easement except
by means of an approved drainage structure".
Utility easements to be worked out with the public and private
utility companies.
Platting of public streets or easements across private easements
or fee strips.
(a) A copy of the instrument establishing any private easement
shall be submitted with the preliminary pIa t.
(b) Easeme.n~ boundaries must be tied by dimensions to adja -
cent lot and tract corners. Where the private easement
has no defined location or width, an effort shall be made to
reach agreement on a defined easement. Where no agree-
ment can be reached, then pipelines shall be accurately lo-
cated and tied to lot lines, and building setback lines shall
be shown at a distance of ten feet from and parallel to the
center line of the pipeline.
(c) Prior to approval of the final plat, the developer or dedicator
of any subdivision plat wherein public streets or easements
are shown c~ossing private easements or fee strips, shall
by letter to the City Planning Commission assume re-
sponsibility for seeing tha t any adjustments and protection
of existing pipelines, electrical transmission lines, or other
3.
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facilities shall be planned and provided for to the satis-
faction of the holder of the private easements or fee
strips and the City Engineer prior to the fili~g of the
pla t for records.
(d) Prior to filing, of the final plat for record, the following
requirements must be met:
(1) The developer or dedicator of any plat shall obtain
from the holder of any private easement or fee strip
within the plat crossed by proposed streets or other
(,
public ea.sements an instrument granting to the public
the use of said public streets or easements over and
across said private easements or fee strips for con-
struction, operation, and maintenance of those public
facilities normally using the type of public streets and
easements indicated. This instrument shall be delivered
to the City Planning Commission to be filed for re~ord
along with the plat.
(2) The developer shall furnish the Planning Commission
(,
with a letter from the holder of the private easements or
fee strips in question stating that arrangements for any
required adjustments in pipelines, electric transmission
lines, or other similar facilities have been made to the
satisfaction of the holder of the easements.
(3) The developer shall provide the Planning Commission
with a letter from the City Engineer stating that arrange-
mellts for all matters pertaining to any necessary ad-
justments have been made to the satisfaction of the
(-
Department.
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