Lots within subdivisions shall conform to the following standards:
(A) General lot arrangement.
(1) Through lots (lots with frontage on 2 parallel streets) are prohibited, except in the case of a reverse frontage lot that abuts a major thoroughfare, where access to the major thoroughfare is prohibited.
(2) Lots facing a 3-way intersection should be aligned to prevent oncoming headlight glare into the living area of the building envelope.
(3) Blocks shall be so designed as to provide 2 tiers of back-to-back lots, except where lots back onto a major thoroughfare, railroad, natural feature or subdivision boundary.
(4) Corner lots shall have access to the lesser-traveled roadway.
(5) If the plat extends into an adjacent community, boundaries for individual lots shall be within 1 community to the extent feasible. In no case shall a building envelope result in a situation where a home crosses a community or school district boundary.
(6) If the subdivision includes any outlots or excepted parcels, an illustration shall be provided to demonstrate that the remaining land can be used or subdivided in conformance with township standards.
(B) Sizes and shapes.
(1) The lot size, width, depth and shape in any subdivision proposed for residential uses shall be appropriate for the location and the type of development contemplated.
(2) Lot areas and widths shall conform to at least the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance for the district in which the subdivision is proposed.
(3) Regarding width related to length, narrow, deep lots shall be avoided. The depth of a lot generally shall not exceed 4 times the width as measured at the building line.
(4) Building setback lines shall conform to at least the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance. Staggered building lines are encouraged.
(5) Areas of the subdivision plat that contain ponds, lakes or similar bodies of water shall be recorded as acreage, but shall not be platted as subdivision lots nor calculated as a portion of the minimum lot area as required by the zoning ordinance. This provision shall not apply to artificial ponds or pools created on a lot after final plat approval.
(6) Corner lots in residential subdivisions shall be platted at least 10 feet wider than the minimum width permitted by the zoning ordinance.
(7) Lots shall be of sufficient size and proportion to accommodate at least the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance for the district in which the subdivision is located.
(8) Lots intended for purposes other than residential use shall be specifically designed for those purposes, and shall have adequate provision for off-street parking, off-street loading and other requirements in accordance with the zoning ordinance.
(9) Lots which abut an active rail line shall have minimum depth of 250 feet to provide a minimum 75-foot setback from the railroad right-of-way line.
(10) Lands subject to flooding or otherwise deemed by the Planning Commission to be uninhabitable shall not be platted for residential purposes, or for uses that may in the judgment of the Planning Commission increase the danger to health, life or property, or increase the flood hazard. Such land within a subdivision shall be set aside for other uses, such as parks or other open space.
(11) Lots shall not back into such features as freeways, arterial streets, shopping centers, or industrial properties, except where there is a marginal access street, unless a secondary access is provided. These lots shall contain a landscaped easement along the rear at least 20 feet wide in addition to the utility easement to restrict access to the arterial street to minimize noise and to protect outdoor living areas. Lots extending through a block and having frontage on 2 local streets shall be prohibited.
(12) Where parcels of land are subdivided into unusually large lots (such as when large lots are required for septic tank operations), the parcels shall be divided, where feasible, so as to allow for resubdividing into smaller parcels in a logical fashion. Lot arrangements shall allow for the ultimate extension of adjacent streets through the middle of wide blocks. Whenever future redividing or lot splitting is contemplated, the plan for such shall be approved by the Planning Commission, or its designee prior to the taking of those actions.
(C) Arrangement.
(1) Every lot shall front on and have direct access to a public street approved by GCRC, with vehicular access only to a minor street. In addition, the driveways for all corner lots shall access the most interior, or less traveled, street within the subdivision.
(2) Side lot lines shall generally be at right angles or radial to the street centerlines. This requirement shall not apply where the lot lines would create irregularly shaped lots which would unreasonably limit construction, or where adjustments to the standard lot configuration would protect regulated wetlands or preserve other natural features, such as topography. Dogleg side lot lines shall be avoided.
(3) Residential lots abutting major thoroughfares shall be platted so that the driveways shall access the interior road network
(4) Lots shall have a front-to-front relationship across all streets where possible.
(Ord. 372.1 § 402, passed 6-10-1999)