(A) Adequate building sites.
(1) Each lot intended for building improvements shall contain an area outside the limits of any existing easement or building setback lines required in the zoning regulations. This does not apply to common open space lots with no structure(s).
(2) Corner lots shall have extra width sufficient to permit the additional side yard requirements of the zoning regulations or building setback lines outlined above.
(3) All lots that have some geographic feature (i.e., sinkhole, floodplain, or drainage easements) that would affect the location and construction of a structure/building, parking, accessory structures, or utilities (i.e., water, sewer, septic tank, well, electricity, phone) shall have a specific notation placed on the affected lot or in an appropriate location on the final plat by the applicant's engineer or surveyor that is readily visible.
(B) Arrangement. Insofar as practical, side lot lines shall be at right angles to straight street lines or radial to curved street lines. Each lot must front upon a public street or road, except as permitted under these regulations.
(C) Critical lots.
(1) Lots may be designated as critical based on soil conditions, susceptibility to flood inundation, karst features, stream encroachments, degree of slope or other lot features to address concerns related to the feasibility of construction as determined by the City Engineer. Generally, a lot will be designated critical when the slope is greater than 12%. A star symbol shall be used to identify critical lots on the face of both the preliminary and final plats.
(2) Prior to application for a building permit on a lot designed as "critical," a plan shall be submitted to the City Engineer for approval. The plan shall provide a survey of existing conditions and details of the proposed development on the lot. Critical lots will not be released for construction of a structure until a critical lot plan is approved by the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall be specifically authorized to require that floor elevations be raised as part of a critical lot plan, whether or not the lot in question lies within a regulatory flood area.
(D) Retaining walls.
(1) The standard policy of the Planning and Building Codes Departments is as follows for retaining wall design. This policy is based on the section R404.4 Retaining Walls as contained in the International Residential Code.
(2) Retaining walls that are not laterally supported at the top and that retain in excess of 48 inches (1219 mm) of unbalanced fill, or retaining walls exceeding 24 inches (610 mm) in height that resist lateral loads in addition to soil, shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice to ensure stability against overturning, sliding, excessive foundation pressure and water uplift. Retaining walls shall be designed for a safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding and overturning. This section shall not apply to foundation walls supporting buildings.
(3) For commercial projects, additional IBC references: 1610.1; 1803.5.12; 1807.2.
(Ord. 2022-007, passed 3-14-2022)