(a ) For expansion or redevelopment of existing sites, the Planning and Community Development Director, Planning Commission, or Township Board may determine that compliance with standards of this section are difficult to meet based on factors such as the amount of the overall improvement to the site or the extent of change compared to existing conditions but that the standards shall be applied to the site to the maximum extent possible. Full compliance is required for new development. The following list is a hierarchy of priority design standards (with (1) being the highest priority standard to be met and (8) being the lowest priority standard to be met):
(1) Frontage landscaping.
(2) Sidewalks along Groesbeck Highway.
(3) Internal sidewalk connections.
(4) Buffers and Screening.
(5) Lighting.
(6) Access consolidations.
(7) Signage.
(8) Interior Landscaping.
(b) The applicant shall provide justification for why particular standards could not be met. Higher priority design standards will require thorough justification and are discouraged from being altered. The applicant shall also state how the site plan still meets the general intent of the Township Master Plan, Strategic Plan, Zoning Code, and the overall purpose of these Design Standards.
(Ord. Passed 10-30-23.)