The following shall be the required standards to be observed for the design and provision of community facilities and related elements.
(A) Assessing needs for community facilities. In reviewing subdivision plats, the Planning Commission shall consider the adequacy of existing or proposed community facilities which must serve the additional population to be housed in the proposed subdivision. Where appropriate, subdividers shall also give earnest consideration to dedicating or reserving land for those facilities which will be needed by the people who buy homes in his or her subdivision, such as public buildings, recreational areas and shopping centers.
(B) Adequacy of such areas. Areas provided or reserved for such community facilities should be adequate for building sites, landscaping and off-street parking as appropriate to the proposed use. Prior to preparation of final plans, subdividers of large tracts should review with the Planning Commission the minimum standards for various community facilities applicable to the proposed subdivision.
(C) Site acquisition. Where master plans or implementation devices adopted by the Commission have proposed that the location of parks, schools or other public uses be within the proposed subdivision, or where such sites appear desirable, the Commission may require their reservation for acquisition by public agencies for an 18-month time period.
(D) Preservation of existing physical assets. Existing features which are existing assets to the community and subdivision area shall be preserved as much as possible through harmonious design of the subdivision. Example of such features are farm fences of stone or wood, groupings of trees, isolated but outstanding trees, watercourses, vacant historical buildings and similar irreplaceable physical assets.
(E) Development of hazardous open areas. Whenever a subdivision contains land which is, or appears to be, subject to flooding, subsidence or other hazards injurious to the health and safety of potential users; and when such hazards cannot be eliminated or adequate safeguards provided to protect the health and safety of potential users, the Commission may declare such land to be unsuitable for subdivision and disapprove such plans or portions thereof.
(F) Utility availability.
(1) Based on the number of housing units, residential subdivisions shall be connected to existing public water and sewerage systems, if public service is available within the following distance of any portion of the parent tract:
Size of Development | Distance |
1-2 units | 400 feet |
3-4 units | 800 feet |
5-10 units | 1,000 feet |
10-20 units | 1/2 mile |
over 20 units | 1 mile |
(2) In areas where property proposed to be subdivided is more than one-mile from a public water supply, if the water or sewer district or the city providing water or sewer service to the area has plans within a five-year period to provide service to the area, the Planning Commission, may, after consultation with the service provider, require the installation of a capped system, or dry lines, within the road right-of-way.
(3) If water service is not available within the distances noted above, the minimum lot size shall be increased to five acres and 250 feet of road frontage.
(4) If sewer service is not available within the distances noted above, all on-site sewage disposal systems shall be approved by the County Health Department and shall, at a minimum, comply with lot sizes and dimensional requirements of the zoning ordinance.
(5) Any commercial development requiring over 400 gallons of water per day shall not be permitted if public water supply is not available to the property.
(6) Where water lines are capable of providing firefighting water pressure, fire hydrants shall be provided as recommended by the County Fire Chief.
(Ord. passed 4-1-2003) Penalty, see § 153.99