(1) Blocks.
(A) Residential block lengths. The long dimension of a residential block shall not exceed 1,500 feet.
(B) Commercial or industrial blocks. Blocks intended to be used for commercial or industrial purposes shall be designed specifically for such uses with adequate space set aside for off-street parking and loading facilities.
(C) Pedestrian walkways (crosswalks).
1.) Pedestrian walkways not less than ten feet wide, or of such greater width as is deemed necessary by the Planning Department, shall be required across streets where the Planning Department or the City Engineer determines that pedestrian access to schools, playgrounds, shopping centers, transportation and other community facilities is necessary.
2.) Paving, fencing and other improvements may be required by the PZC.
(2) Lots.
(A) Conformity to dimensional standards. The lot size, width and depth, and the minimum building setback lines, shall, as a minimum, conform to this Code.
(B) Access to public streets. The subdivision of land, whether as a major or minor subdivision, shall provide each lot with 85 feet of continuous frontage on a dedicated street. This standard may be reduced to 50 feet by the PZC for lots fronting on a permanent cul-de-sac or other curved street frontages (e.g., knuckles).
(C) Double frontage lots.
1.) Lots shall be laid out so that there are no double frontages, except:
a.) Where extreme conditions in elevation prevent access to the lot from one of the streets; or
b.) Where it is necessary to separate residential lots from major arterial thoroughfares.
2.) Where double frontage lots are created adjacent to major arterial thoroughfares, a reserve strip along the major arterial thoroughfares shall be deeded to the City Council, as approved by the Mayor, by resolution or ordinance pursuant to the City Charter. The plat shall state that there shall be no right of access across such reserve strip. The Planning Department may require that a decorative six-foot high solid board fence or masonry fence be constructed or that a ten-foot wide planting screen be provided.
(D) Construction on two or more lots. When a building is proposed to be constructed on two or more adjacent recorded lots or tracts of land, such lots shall be combined and the new legal description or replat document depicting one lot shall be recorded.
(E) Access to public thoroughfares. No building shall be erected on a lot which does not abut on at least one public thoroughfare, or at least one private road built in accordance with public thoroughfare standards and specifications, except upon presentation to Council of evidence of the existence of a cash bond sufficient to ensure construction of said thoroughfare or private road.
(F) Visual obstructions. On a corner lot, no visual obstruction of living or nonliving material in excess of two feet in height is permitted within a 30-foot radius from the intersection of the road rights-of-way.
(3) Lot lines. Lot lines shall be substantially at right angles or radial to street lines. Lot lines should follow municipal, township and county boundary lines rather than cross them.
(4) Lot depth. No lot depth shall exceed four and one-half times the lot width or be less than one and one-half times the lot width at the minimum building setback line, unless otherwise exempted. The lot width shall be measured at the minimum building setback line.
(5) Public facilities and open space.
(A) Public facilities. The design of subdivisions should provide for parks, playgrounds or other sites for public use as required by the PZC. There shall be a time period of not more than six months during which the developer and public agency can agree upon compensation to the developer and the quantity of property needed for a public facility. If an agreement is not reached within this six-month period, the property will be returned to its original design. If there is an adopted land use and thoroughfare or comprehensive plan for the area, such public facilities shall conform to such plan.
(B) Natural features. The developer is encouraged to give consideration to preserving outstanding natural features, such as scenic spots, water bodies or exceptionally fine groves of trees.
(6) Easements. Easements across lots or centered on rear or side lot lines shall be provided for utilities where necessary and shall be of such widths as may be reasonably necessary for the utilities using the easement. It shall be the subdivider or developer’s responsibility to determine appropriate easement widths as required by the utility company.
(Prior Code, § 1229.04) (Ord. 2009-21, passed 10-27-2009)