(A) Land subdivision is the first step in the process of community development. Once land has been divided into streets, blocks, lots, and open spaces, a pattern has been established which usually determines how well the county needs for residence, business, and industry will be met. It also determines to a great extent how well it will be able to meet the demand for home sites and how efficiently and economically it will be able to provide the many services demanded of it.
(B) After land has been subdivided and publicly recorded, it is costly and difficult to correct defects and deficiencies in the subdivision layout and in the facilities provided. In addition, a subdivided area sooner or later becomes a public responsibility in that roads and streets must be maintained and various public services customary to urban areas must be provided. The welfare of the entire county is thereby affected in many important respects. The guidance of land development in harmony with county objectives is, therefore, a matter of serious public concern and it is in the interest of the public, the developer, and the future owners that subdivisions be conceived, designed, and developed in accordance with sound rules and proper standards.
(C) This chapter, certified copies of which are filed in the office of the County Clerk, are designed to provide for the harmonious development of the subdivided areas; for a coordinated layout; for the proper arrangement of streets; for adequate and convenient open spaces for traffic, utilities, recreation, light, air and access of firefighting equipment; for avoidance of population congestion through requirements for minimum lot widths and lot areas; for adequate provision of water, drainage, sewer and other sanitary facilities; and for reducing flood damage potentials to the greatest extent possible.
(Ord. passed 11-27-2017)