(A) (1) The design standards as specified in this subchapter are structured to provide the city as the platting authority with flexibility in review of subdivisions within the area governed by these regulations.
(2) The standards are necessary to assure that adopted plans and/or policies of the city are implemented and that other applicable ordinances of the city are enforced.
(3) Further, these standards are necessary to ensure that the proposed subdivision, when approved, will be in harmony with the natural environment.
(B) The design standards cover overall design, street design, street width, alleys, easements, blocks and lots to ensure conformance with official plans.
(C) Valuable topographic and scenic features and ground cover shall be preserved and retained to the maximum possible extent. Drainage shall be provided for in the subdivision by adequate storm drains or by maintenance of natural drainage channels.
(D) Land which the Planning Commission finds to be unsuitable for subdivision or development due to flooding, improper drainage, steep slopes, rock formations, adverse earth formations or topography, utility easements or other features which will reasonably be harmful to the safety, health and general welfare of the present or future inhabitants of the subdivision and/or its surrounding areas, shall not be subdivided or developed unless adequate methods are formulated by the subdivider/developer and approved by the Planning Commission, to solve the problems created by the unsuitable land conditions. The land shall be set aside for uses as shall not involve such a danger.
(E) All subdivisions are encouraged to be laid out in a manner that all lots or building sites make optimum use of a south-facing exposure, such that solar heating and cooling is not eliminated as a result of subdivision layout.
(F) The rigid rectangular gridiron street pattern need not necessarily be adhered to, and the use of curvilinear streets, U-shaped streets, cul-de-sacs typical of cluster type subdivision layout shall be encouraged where the use will result in a more desirable and efficient use of the land.
(2001 Code, § 12.06)