(a) Subdivisions shall be planned to take advantage of the topography of the land, to economize in the construction of drainage and street and sewer improvements to reduce the amount of grading, to preserve tree stands and topsoil, to protect such land features as watercourses and unusual rock formations, which, if safeguarded, will contribute to the value of the subdivision, the neighborhood and the City of Elyria, Ohio.
(b) Due consideration shall be given to the following conservation principles in preparing the design of a subdivision:
(1) Flood plain protection. Lands prone to flooding within the boundaries of the subdivision shall not be platted for residential use or for any other use that may cause increased danger to health, life or property or further aggravate the flood hazard. Developers shall consult the flood plain ordinance of the City of Elyria and the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), as published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to determine whether or not the proposed development is within a flood hazard area.
(2) Erosion and sedimentation control. Consideration shall be given to sedimentation and erosion control where earth-moving practices involve finished grading of improved lots, rehabilitation of excavated slopes, road grading, topsoil removal or alteration or enlargement of waterways or drainage creeks, during and after construction.
(3) Protection of natural features. Natural features, irregularities in slope, natural drainage patterns of rivers and streams, and groves of trees, shall be protected and avoided in designing the layout of streets, lots and blocks.
The Planning Commission may waive certain design principles in order to preserve unusual land features within the boundaries of the site to be subdivided.
(4) Streets and natural land features. Where the site is relatively flat, or includes very gentle undulations, the street pattern will be designed to follow the natural land and watercourses to the extent possible.
All building sites, wherever possible, shall be above the finished gradient of the street.
(Ord. 97-297. Passed 12-15-97.)