(a) The general principles of design and minimum requirements for the laying out of subdivisions, set forth in Article 1309, may be varied by the City Development Department in the case of a subdivision large enough to constitute a more or less self-contained neighborhood which is to be developed in accordance with a comprehensive plan safeguarded by appropriate restrictions, and which, in the judgment of the Department, makes adequate provision for all essential community requirements, provided, however, that no modification shall be granted by the Department which would conflict with the proposals of the official Thoroughfare Plan or with the other features of the Comprehensive Plan of Parkersburg and environs, or with the intent and purposes of the general principles of design and minimum requirements.
(b) Those divisions of land which are excluded from the definition of "Subdivision", and which are set forth in 1307.02(a) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Parkersburg, are exempt from the procedural requirements of Article 1307 of the Codified Ordinances regarding plat approval for "Subdivisions". However, such divisions of land are subject to review and approval for plat recording by the Planning Commission staff and must conform to the applicable regulation of Article 1307 and Article 1309 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Parkersburg.
(c) In any particular case where the subdivider can show that, by reason of exceptional topographic or other physical conditions, strict compliance with any requirement of these Subdivision Regulations would cause unusual difficulty or exceptional and undue hardship, the Department may relax such requirement to the extent deemed just and proper, so as to relieve such difficulty or hardship; provided that such relief may be granted without detriment to the public good and without impairing the intent and purposes of these Subdivision Regulations or the desirable general development of the neighborhood and the community in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance of Parkersburg and environs. Any modification thus granted shall be entered in the minutes of the Department setting forth the reasons which, in the opinion of the Department, justified the modification.
(Ord. A-1090. Passed 4-4-67; Ord. A-3164. Passed 3-23-76; Ord. A-3772. Passed 6-27-78.)