Suitability of land for subdividing. If the Plan Commission finds that the land requested to be subdivided is unsuitable for development because of, but not limited to, flooding, poor drainage, steep slopes, rock formations, adverse earth foundations, topography, utility availability, inadequate water supply on or to the site, site is inadequate for sewage disposal or other features or conditions which will reasonably be harmful to the safety, health, life, property or general welfare of the present or future inhabitants of the land or its surrounding area, the Plan Commission shall not approve the land for subdivision unless adequate methods for solving the problems created by the unsuitable land conditions are formulated by the owner/developer and approved by the Plan Commission and its technical advisors. In making its determination under this section, the Plan Commission shall use the following criteria:
(A) Streets. The existing street system and proposed new roads shall provide a safe, convenient and functional system for vehicular circulation; shall be appropriate for the traffic characteristics of the subdivision; and their arrangement and character in the subdivision and their integration shall conform with the existing and proposed system of thoroughfares as established in the Thoroughfare Plan of the Street Standards and in the Comprehensive Plan;
(B) Stormwater management. The subdivision plat shall make adequate provisions for storm water runoff so that the proposed subdivision does not negatively alter the storm water conditions of properties adjoining the proposed subdivision; that the facilities, structures and controls necessary for reasonable conditions within the proposed subdivision be provided; and that drainage improvements shall accommodate potential runoff from the entire upstream drainage area and shall be designed to prevent increases in downstream flooding;
(C) Sewage disposal. Each lot will be served by means of waste water collection and treatment approved by the State Department of Environmental Management or the County Health Department, Environmental Division;
(D) Water service. Each lot will have an adequate supply of potable water through a public or community system or by individual wells; and
(E) Flood plain. Each lot will contain enough land, which is not located in a flood plain as defined by the Zoning Ordinance, to accommodate the permitted use(s) of the property. If subdivision lots require an individual on-site sewage disposal system, all these systems must be located above the level of the established 100-year flood elevation of record. Lots consisting entirely of land located in a flood plain shall not be approved for subdivision. In subdivisions that contain unbuildable areas, all these areas must be platted with the buildable area of each lot and must be maintained with the ownership of the buildable areas on the plat.
(Ord. 2009-67, passed 3-2-2009; Ord. PC 2016-20, passed 7-18-2016)