(a) Development design criteria.
(1) Conservation of water resources.
A. Steep slopes should be conserved and protected from clearing, filling or construction.
B. Impervious surfaces should be utilized to the minimum extent necessary.
C. Alteration or construction within natural drainage ways should be avoided.
D. Low impact stormwater management techniques, such as grassy swales, should be utilized only where hard pipe management techniques including but not limited to, perforated pipe and catch basins, are shown to be impractical.
(2) Conservation of sloping land.
A. Road system and buildings should be located so as to minimize changes in topography and the need for cutting and filling.
B. Construction of buildings, parking areas and roads should be avoided on land having a slope greater than 15 percent.
(3) Conservation of woodlands and the like.
A. Development should conserve and maintain mature woodlands and/or orchards.
1. Trees with diameter (BHD) of ten inches or greater should be conserved.
2. When any woodland is developed, great care shall be taken to design all disturbed areas (buildings, roads, septic fields and the like) in locations where there are no large trees.
3. Trees with diameter (BHD) of five inches or greater shall be shown on both the Preliminary Development Plan and Final Development Plan.
B. Development shall conserve and maintain existing fields, pastures and meadows.
C. Development shall incorporate existing hedgerows and tree lines between fields or meadows.
D. Wildlife habitat areas of endangered species shall be protected.
(4) Conservation of farmland. Conservation of prime farmland that satisfied USDA definition of "prime" or "locally unique" farmland shall be conserved.
(5) Conservation of existing scenic vistas and visual quality of the environment. Buildings shall be located to ensure that scenic views and vistas are not blocked or interrupted.
(6) Conservation of cultural resources. Sites of historic, archaeological or cultural value shall be protected.
(7) General street design criteria.
A. Streets shall follow natural contours.
B. Streets shall avoid excessive stormwater runoff.
C. Streets and related pavement shall be the minimum necessary to provide safe and adequate movement throughout the development.
(8) Pedestrian circulation systems.
A. A system shall be included in a conservation development and designed so pedestrians can walk safely throughout the development.
B. System shall provide connections between properties and activities.
(b) Resource protection regulations.
(1) Floodway protection. All buildings, structures or land within a floodway shall be used and buildings or structures hereafter shall be erected, altered, enlarged, repaired or rebuilt, moved or designed to be used in whole or in part only for a use listed below:
A. Agriculture;
B. Public or private park and outdoor recreational facilities;
C. Fencing that allows the passage of water; and
D. Accessory off-street parking areas, provided they are improved with pervious materials.
(2) Wetlands protection. Wetlands that are required by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Ohio EPA to be retained shall be protected by a buffer having a width of not less than 20 feet measured from the edge of the building and pavement setback or not less than 35 feet measured from the edge of the designated wetland.
(3) Conservation of riparian zones. Subject to and in accordance with Chapter 1294, a riparian buffer shall be provided along the entire length on both sides of the riparian area as defined in § 1294.04(j). The buffer shall have a width as recommended by the City Engineer.
(4) Sewage disposal. All dwellings and permitted accessory recreational Buildings shall be served by individual or public sewage disposal systems as approved by the Lake County Health Department.
(Ord. 04-O-43, passed 8-30-2004)