(a) Site Plan Review Criteria. In the process of reviewing a site plan, the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator (or designee) must consider the following criteria and assure that these conditions are met to the extent practicable:
(1) Adequacy of information. The site plan must include all required information in sufficiently complete and understandable form to provide an accurate description of the proposed uses(s) and structures;
(2) Uses. The site plan must state that all proposed uses are permitted in the zoning district in which the site is located;
(3) Site design characteristics. All elements of site design must be harmoniously and efficiently organized in relation to topography, the size and type of lot, the character of adjoining property, and the type and size of buildings. The site must be developed so as not to impede the normal and orderly development or improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted by this chapter. The site must be designed to conform to all provisions of this chapter. Redevelopment of existing sites must be brought into conformance with all site improvement provisions of this chapter which are relative to and proportionate to the extent of redevelopment, as determined by the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator (or designee);
(4) Traditional city character/historic preservation. The City of Maumee is a traditional community with many historic characteristics and features. All site plans within the city must demonstrate that they are in keeping with the character and history of the surrounding residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use neighborhood;
(5) Buildings. Buildings and structures shall be designed so as to limit front yard setbacks and allow for rear yard parking at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator and will meet or exceed setback standards, height and other dimensional standards, and be consistent with applicable building design standards;
(6) Emergency vehicle access. All buildings or groups of buildings must be arranged so as to permit emergency vehicle access by some practicable means to all vehicles;
(7) Ingress and egress. Every structure or dwelling unit must be provided with adequate means of ingress and egress via public streets, private roads and walkways;
(8) Pedestrian and vehicular orientation. The site plan must provide a system for pedestrian circulation that allows pedestrians to safely access the site, circulate within the site, and access adjacent sites and development areas such as neighborhoods. The arrangement of vehicular and pedestrian circulation must respect the pattern of existing or planned streets and pedestrian or bicycle pathways in the city. The width of streets and drives must be appropriate for the volume of traffic they will carry;
(9) Drainage. Storm water management system and facilities must preserve the natural drainage characteristics and enhance the aesthetics of the site to the maximum extent possible. Measures must be taken to ensure storm water management techniques follow safe practices to slow and treat drainage before it enters the system and/or leaves the site;
(10) Soil erosion. The proposed development must include measures to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation;
(11) Exterior lighting. Exterior lighting must be designed so that it is aimed downward and deflected away from adjacent properties and so that it does not impede the vision of drivers on public streets, adversely impact abutting properties or adversely impact the natural evening sky. Foot candles and lumen maximums, as published by the Dark Sky Society shall be adhered to as closely as possible. Lighting levels may not exceed half (0.5) a foot-candle beyond any perimeter (exterior) lot line for commercial or industrial and .05 for residential areas;
(12) Preservation of natural areas. The landscape must be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal, alteration to the natural drainage courses, and the amount of cutting, filling and grading. Insofar as practical, natural features and the site topography, viewsheds, historical markers and environmental areas must be incorporated into the proposed site design;
(13) Public services. The scale and design of the proposed development must facilitate the adequate provision of services currently furnished by or that may be required of the city or other public agency including, but not limited to, fire and police protection, storm water management, sanitary sewage removal and treatment, traffic control and administrative services. All new utilities, public or otherwise, must be installed underground;
(14) Traffic impact. The expected volume of traffic to be generated by the proposed use cannot adversely impact existing roads and the circulation thereon. Driveways must be located to minimize conflict with traffic operations on the adjoining road. The number of driveways must be the minimum needed to provide reasonable access to the site;
(Ord. 093-2020. Passed 7-6-20.)