1111.04 LOTS.

   Lots within subdivisions shall conform to the following standards:

   (a)   Sizes and Shapes. 

      (1)   The 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)   In areas where City or township zoning regulations are in effect, the lot width and lot area requirements of such zoning regulations shall control.

      (3)   The following standards shall apply in unincorporated areas where no zoning regulations are in effect:

         A.   When a subdivision in an unincorporated area is to be connected to public sanitary sewer facilities or to a community sewage disposal plant, and when lots in such subdivision are intended for single-family residential use, all lots shall have a minimum width of sixty-five feet at the building line and a minimum area of 7,800 square feet.
(Ord. 1992-41. Passed 9-15-92.)

         B.   Whenever either public or community sewage disposal facilities are not available, lots intended for single-family residential use shall have a minimum width of 125 feet and a minimum area of 2 acres.
(Ord. 1995-49. Passed 6-20-95.)

         C.   Whenever sanitary sewer facilities are not reasonably accessible and a community sewage disposal plant is not required, lots shall be increased in area by 10,000 square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of one.

      (4)   Unless otherwise controlled by City or township zoning regulations, the minimum front yard setback shall be thirty feet. In the case of a rear yard abutting a side yard, the side yard setback shall be not less than the minimum front yard setback required herein, and all regulations applicable to a front yard shall apply.

      (5)   Corner lots in residential subdivision shall be platted at least ten feet wider than the minimum width permitted by these regulations or any applicable zoning regulations. (Ord. 1992-41. Passed 9-15-92.)

      (6)   Excessive lot depth in relation to width shall be avoided. A depth-to- width ratio of three to one shall normally be considered a maximum.

      (7)   Flag lots shall not be less than five (5) acres in area, either in recorded subdivision plats or as minor subdivisions. In computing the area of a flag lot, the area of the flag "pole" shall not be included. The area of the "flag" itself shall be five acres or more. To ensure future access, and orderly development of land adjoining the parcel, the flag "pole" shall extend the full depth of the flag lot. Additionally, to ensure the future ability to utilize the "pole" for access, all improvements or structures shall be set back from the nearest point of the pole not less than thirty feet.

Upon timely application, in situations where exceptional topographic or other physical conditions render compliance with the required length of the flag "pole" impractical, the Planning Commission may grant such variance as may be needed to effect the spirit and purpose of these regulations.

      (8)   Lots intended for purposes other than residential use shall be specifically designed for such purposes, and shall have adequate provision for off- street parking, setbacks and loading and unloading areas.

      (9)   Lots may not be created by dividing land at the ends of stub streets in adjacent subdivisions, such stub streets being intended to provide continuity of street systems in adjoining subdivisions.

      (10)   To provide adequate right of way for future public roadways, all parcels shall be provided not less than sixty feet of frontage on a public roadway, or on a private roadway that has been approved as part of a record subdivision plat. In the case of a flag lot, the flag "pole" shall have a width of sixty feet for its entire length. (Ord. 1995-49. Passed 6-20-95.)

   (b)   Arrangement.

      (1)   Every lot shall front or abut a public street, except that private streets existing prior to January 15, 1963, and which have existed as easements of access and are so recorded in the records of Hancock County, may remain as private roadways.

      (2)   Wherever practical, side lot lines shall be at right angles or radial to the street right-of-way lines.

      (3)   Residential lots abutting major or secondary thoroughfares, where marginal access streets are not desirable or possible to attain, shall be platted with reverse frontage lots or with side lot lines parallel to the major or secondary traffic streets.
(Ord. 1996-117. Passed 1-7-97.)

      (4)   Lots shall have a front-to-front relationship across all streets where possible.
(Ord. 1992-41. Passed 9-15-92.)