A. Development Review Criteria. Approval of a development plan shall be granted only if the development plan meets all applicable requirements outlined below. Unless a more specific standard is provided in this ordinance, all uses, and structures subject to development plan review shall comply with the following standards:
1. Harmonious and Compatible Design. The development must be designed in a manner that is harmonious and compatible to the greatest extent reasonably possible, with the character of the surrounding area.
2. Minimize Hazards. The development must be designed so as to reasonably minimize hazards to adjacent property and to reasonably reduce the negative effects of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes and glare to the maximum extent possible.
3. Traffic Circulation. The number, location, size of access and entry points, and internal vehicular and pedestrian circulation routes shall be designed to promote safe and efficient access to and from the development, and circulation within the development. In reviewing traffic features, the number, spacing and alignment of existing and proposed access points shall be considered relative to their impact on traffic movement on abutting streets and adjacent properties.
4. Storm Water. Storm water detention and drainage systems shall be designed so the removal of surface waters will not have adverse effects on neighboring properties or public storm water drainage systems.
5. Landscaping. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing unnecessary tree and soil removal, and any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas. Protection or preservation of existing landscaping, buffers or street lawns may be required to ensure that the proposed uses will be adequately buffered from one another and from surrounding property.
6. Buffers. Where non-residential uses abut residential uses, appropriate buffering and screening shall be provided, so as to shield residential properties from noise, headlights and glare.
7. Lighting. Lighting shall be designed to minimize glare on adjacent properties and public streets. As a condition of development plan approval, reduction of lighting during non-business hours may be required.
8. Utility Service. All interior utility service shall be underground.
9. Exterior Uses. Exposed storage areas, machinery, heating and cooling units, service areas, loading areas, utility buildings and structures, and similar accessory areas shall be located to have a minimum negative effect on adjacent properties and shall be screened as reasonably necessary to ensure compatibility with surrounding properties.
10. Emergency Access. All buildings and structures shall be readily accessible to emergency vehicles.
11. Water and Sewer. Water and sewer installations shall comply with all City specifications and requirements.
12. Signs. Permitted signs shall be located to avoid creating distractions and visual clutter.
B. Development Review Criteria for B-4, Mixed-use Business District. Applications for B-4 mixed use developments shall only be approved upon a finding of compliance with the criteria in Subsection A and with the following criteria:
1. Development Plan Standards. The standards of Section 1126.06 for development plans shall be satisfied.
2. Consistency with Master Plan. All mixed-use development shall be designed, constructed and maintained in conformance with the applicable guidelines and standards established by the City of North Olmsted Master Plan.
3. Integration with Transportation System. Mixed use developments shall be designed to integrate into the adjacent transportation system relative to:
a. Pedestrian connections to ensure accessibility to current or planned transit service, if applicable;
b. Connectivity to existing and planned roadways, sidewalks and pathways;
c. Compatibility with the regional transportation system of arterial and collector streets; Complete streets roadway design that accommodates multiple transportation modes;
d. Strategic locations of parking lots and structures; and
e. Access management to provide internal connections between uses and prohibit individual driveway access to perimeter roads.
4. Impact on Infrastructure. The development is staged in a manner that allows for and facilitates the timely provision of public utilities, facilities and services.
5. Compatibility of Uses and Structures. The mixed-use development is planned so land uses and densities create an appropriate transition to existing or planned uses and densities on adjoining properties.
C. Conditions of Approval. Conditions which are designed to ensure compliance with the intent of this ordinance and other regulations of the City may be imposed during development plan approval. Conditions imposed shall be based on the following criteria:
1. To ensure that public services and facilities will not be adversely affected.
2. To ensure that the use is compatible with adjacent land uses and activities.
3. To protect the health, safety, welfare and social and economic well-being of those who will use the land use or activity under consideration, residents and landowners immediately adjacent to the proposed land use or activity and the community as a whole.
4. To protect natural resources and the environment.
5. To ensure compatibility between the proposed use or activity and the rights of the City to perform its governmental functions.
6. To meet the intent and purpose of the Zoning Code and Master Plan.
7. To be related to the regulations and standards established in the ordinance for the land use or activity under consideration and be necessary to ensure compliance with those standards.
8. To ensure compliance with the intent of other City ordinances that are applicable to the development plan.
(Ord. 2017-32. Passed 5-2-17.)