(a) Prior to approving a site plan, the Planning Commission shall require that the following standards be satisfied. If these standards and the other requirements noted in this section or in other City ordinances are met, the site plan shall be approved.
(b) The Planning Commission shall have the authority to limit the number of driveways for a site, to require that parking lots on contiguous parcels be connected, that driveways for contiguous parcels be shared, and that opposite driveways be directly aligned.
(c) Landscaping shall be provided and designed in accordance with the City’s landscape provisions.
(d) All elements of the site plan shall be designed to take into account the site’s topography, the size and type of lot, the character of adjoining property and the type and size of buildings. The site shall be developed so as not to impede the normal and orderly development or improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in this Zoning Code.
(e) The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practical, by removing only those areas of vegetation or by making those alterations to the topography which are reasonably necessary to develop the site in accordance with the requirements of this Zoning Code. A development shall respect the natural resources of the City.
(f) Areas of natural drainage, such as swales, wetlands, ponds, or swamps, shall be protected and preserved insofar as practical in their natural state to provide areas for natural habitat, preserve drainage patterns and maintain the natural characteristics of the land.
(g) The site plan shall provide reasonable visual and sound privacy for all dwelling units located therein. Fences, walks, barriers, and landscaping shall be used, as appropriate, to accomplish these purposes.
(h) All buildings or groups of buildings shall be arranged so as to permit necessary emergency vehicle access as requested by the City Fire Department.
(i) In recognition that a sidewalk system along City streets would enhance pedestrian safety and conserve energy through non-motorized transportation opportunities, sidewalks shall be required as determined by the Planning Commission during the site plan review process. Sidewalks, if required, shall be constructed in accordance with the City of Ionia sidewalk standards. Additions to or renovations of buildings, existing as of the effective date of this chapter, which require site plan review, shall be subject to the requirements herein. In determining the need for a sidewalk, the following criteria shall be considered:
(1) The amount of current and future pedestrian traffic passing by the site.
(2) Whether a sidewalk would enhance the safety of pedestrians currently walking by the site as well as the safety of future pedestrians.
(3) The existing and future volume of traffic on the street abutting the site.
(4) The existence or probability of sidewalks being constructed on adjacent properties in order to create or complete a usable sidewalk system.
(5) The location of the proposed use.
(6) The location of pedestrian attractors such as schools, churches, public buildings, and shopping opportunities.
(j) The arrangement of public or common ways for vehicular and pedestrian circulation shall be connected to existing or planned streets and pedestrian or bicycle pathways in the area. Streets and drives which are part of an existing or planned street pattern serving adjacent development shall be of a condition appropriate to the traffic volume and type of traffic they will carry.
(k) Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure that removal of surface waters will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm water drainage system. Provisions shall be made to accommodate storm water, prevent erosion, particularly during construction, and prevent the formation of dust. The use of detention/retention ponds may be required. Surface water on all paved areas shall be collected at intervals so that it will not obstruct the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create puddles in paved areas. The Planning Commission may, in its discretion, require catch basins to contain oil filters or traps to prevent contaminants from being discharged to the natural drainage system.
(l) Exterior lighting shall be arranged so that illumination is deflected away from adjacent properties and so that it does not interfere with the vision of the motorist along adjacent streets. Flashing or intermittent lights shall not be permitted. Excessive lighting of buildings or structures shall be minimized to reduce light pollution.
Street lights which conform to the City of Ionia specifications for street lighting shall be installed within the right-of-way along all streets abutting the parcel. The Planning Commission may, in its discretion, require these same street lights to be installed on the parcel at locations which are close to the street in order to maintain a consistent lighting theme along City streets.
(m) Outside storage areas, including areas for the storage of trash shall conform to the regulations contained in Chapter 1060 of these Codified Ordinances.
(n) Maneuvering space for trucks using on-site loading areas shall be provided on-premises and shall not necessitate the use of the public right-of-way.
(o) Site plans shall conform to all applicable requirements of County, State and Federal statutes, and approval may be conditioned on the applicant receiving necessary County, State and Federal permits before final site plan approval or any occupancy permit is granted.
(Ord. 390. Passed 3-6-01.)