(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 community needs for residence, business and industry will be met. It also determines to a great extent how well the community will be able to handle its traffic circulation problems, 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 very difficult and costly 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 community is thereby affected in many important respects. The guidance of land development in harmony with community 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 minimum standards.
(c) These Subdivision Regulations and the Major Thoroughfare Plan, certified copies of which are filed in the Office of the County Clerk, are designed for the harmonious development of the subdivided area, 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 fire-fighting 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. 2005-34. Passed 12-12-05.)