The planning commission shall have the responsibility for preparing standards and specifications for the design and quality of all required improvements. Said standards and specifications shall be adopted by resolution by the city council. Said requirements shall be considered minimum and shall apply to all large scale developments under all ordinary circumstances; provided, however, that where the developer can show that a provision of these standards and specifications would cause unnecessary hardship if strictly adhered to and where, because of topographical or other conditions peculiar to the site, the city council may after receiving recommendation from the planning commission on the matter, authorize a departure from said standards, provided such departure may be made without destroying the intent of such provisions. Any departure so authorized shall be stated on the final plat and the reasons for such departure shall be entered in writing in the minutes of the city council. (Ord. 3-4-2003C, 3-4-2003)