A. Lots Of Record And Preliminary Platted Lots Having Legal Standing On January 1, 1994: Except as may be otherwise required by this title, the area of a lot shall be measured as the area of a horizontal plane within the lot lines.
B. Lots Of Record Established After January 1, 1994: Except as may be otherwise allowed by this title, the area of a lot shall be measured as the area of a horizontal plane within the lot lines excluding "major drainageways", as defined by the water resources management plan, wetlands, water bodies, road rights- of-way, required buffer strips, regional utility/pipeline easements, and slopes steeper than three to one (3:1). (Ord. 886, 1-3-2012)
C. Exceptions:
1. Exceptions to the "lot area" definition provided for by this section for lots of record created after January 1, 1994, but not including preliminary platted lots having legal standing on January 1, 1994, may be allowed as follows:
a. Steep Slopes: Subject to the approval of an administrative permit, lots containing slopes steeper than three to one (3:1) may be included in the lot area minimum provided that:
(1) If applicable, flood control measures are implemented.
(2) The construction will not adversely affect area stormwater drainage.
(3) Natural vegetation is protected and preserved pursuant to applicable tree preservation policies and regulations and Shoreland District standards.
(4) The structure conforms to the natural limitations presented by topography and soil so as to create the least potential of soil erosion.
(5) Appropriate measures are utilized to control erosion subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
b. Lot Area Expansion: The minimum gross lot area shall not be required to be expanded by more than one hundred percent (100%) as a result of excluding watercourses as defined by the water resources management plan, wetlands, wetland buffers, water bodies, public rights of way, regional utility/pipeline easements, and slopes steeper than three to one (3:1).
2. Unsewered single-family lots created after August 4, 2008: Watercourses as defined by the water resources management plan, wetlands, wetland buffers, water bodies, public rights of way, regional utility/pipeline easements, and slopes steeper than three to one (3:1) may be included in the minimum lot area for unsewered lots provided that:
a. The requirements of subsection 11-17-19A of this chapter shall be met.
b. The lot shall have a minimum gross area of ten (10) acres with a contiguous buildable area of at least two and one-half (2.5) net acres. For the purpose of this section, the "net contiguous buildable area" shall mean:
(1) The area within the lot excluding watercourses as defined by the water resources management plan, wetlands, wetland buffers, water bodies, public rights of way, regional utility/pipeline easements, and slopes steeper than three to one (3:1).
(2) An area within the lot for the location of principal and accessory structures and individual sewage treatment system meeting required setbacks and having a minimum width of two hundred feet (200') in any dimension uninterrupted by those areas excluded by subsection C2b(1) of this section.
c. A sketch plan shall be submitted by the property owner taking into consideration the future watercourses as defined by the water resources management plan, wetlands, wetland buffers, water bodies, public rights of way, regional utility/pipeline easements, and slopes steeper than three to one (3:1) that would be excluded from the minimum lot area definition at such time that the lot is served with city sanitary sewer. (Ord. 867, sec. 36, 5-17-2010)