Due consideration shall be given to the allocation of areas suitably located and of adequate size for playgrounds and parks for local or neighborhood use as well as public service areas.
(a) Public Open Spaces. Where a school, neighborhood park or recreation area or public access to water frontage, shown on an official map or in a plan made and adopted by the Planning Commission, is located in whole or in part in the applicant's subdivision, the Planning Commission may require the dedication or reservation of such open space within the subdivision up to a total of ten percent (10%) of the gross area or water frontage of the plat, for park, school or recreation purposes.
(b) Easements for Utilities.
(1) Except where alleys are permitted for the purpose, the Planning Commission shall require easements, not less than seven and one-half feet nor more than ten feet in width, for poles, wires, conduits, storm and sanitary sewers, gas, water and heat mains or other utility lines, along all rear lot lines and along side lot lines if necessary, or if, in the opinion of the Planning Commission deemed advisable. Easements of the same or greater width may be required along the lines of, or across, lots where necessary for the extension of existing or planned utilities.
(2) Public utilities companies shall be consulted for their opinion on easement locations and widths so as to minimize future difficulties in servicing. The Safety-Service Director shall present the plan to utilities companies on behalf of the developer and City.
(c) Community Assets. In all subdivisions due regard shall be shown for all natural features such as large trees, water courses, historical spots and similar community assets which, if preserved, will add attractiveness and value to the property.
(d) Suitability of the Land.
(1) The Planning Commission shall not approve the subdivision of land if, from adequate investigations conducted by all public agencies concerned, it has been determined that in the best interest of the public the site is not suitable for platting and development purposes of the kind proposed.
(2) Land subject to flooding and land deemed to be topographically unsuitable shall not be platted for residential occupancy, nor for such other uses as may increase danger to health, life or property or aggravate erosion or flood hazard. Such land within the plat shall be set aside for such uses as shall not be endangered by periodic or occasional inundation or shall not produce unsatisfactory living conditions.
(e) Large Tracts or Parcels. When land is subdivided into larger parcels than ordinary building lots, such parcels shall be arranged so as to allow for the opening of future streets and logical further resubdivision.
(f) Variances. Where the subdivider can show that a provision of these standards would cause unnecessary hardship if strictly adhered to, and where, because of topographical or other conditions peculiar to the site, in the opinion of the Planning Commission a departure may be made without destroying the intent of such provisions, the Commission may authorize a variance. Any variance thus authorized is to be stated in writing in the minutes of the Planning Commission with the reasoning on which the departure was justified set forth.
(g) Zoning or Other Regulations. No final plat of land within the force and effect of an existing zoning ordinance will be approved unless it conforms with such ordinance.
Whenever there is a discrepancy between minimum standards or dimensions noted herein and those contained in zoning regulations, building code, or other official regulations, the highest standard shall apply.
(Ord. 920. Passed 7-23-56.)