The following criteria shall be used as a basis upon which site plans will be reviewed and approved, approved with conditions or denied:
(a) Adequacy of Information and Compliance with Ordinance Requirements. The site plan includes all required information in a complete and understandable form that provides an accurate description of the proposed uses, structures and site improvements. The site plan complies with all applicable Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to minimum floor space, height of building, lot size, yard space and density.
(b) Site Design Characteristics. All elements of the site design are harmoniously and efficiently organized in relation to topography, parcel configuration, adjacent properties, traffic operations, adjacent streets and driveways, pedestrian access and the type and size of buildings. The site is designed in a manner that promotes the normal and orderly development of surrounding property for uses permitted by this Ordinance.
(c) Site Appearance and Coordination. Site elements are designed and located so that the proposed development is aesthetically pleasing and harmonious with adjacent existing or future developments. All site features, including vehicle and pedestrian circulation, building orientation, landscaping, lighting, utilities, recreation facilities, and open space are harmonious and coordinated with adjacent properties.
(d) Preservation of Site Features. The site design preserves and conserves natural, cultural, historical and architectural site features, including, but not limited to, architecturally or historically significant buildings, archeological sites, wetlands, topography, tree-rows and hedgerows, wooded areas, and significant individual trees.
(e) Pedestrian Access and Circulation. The arrangement of public or common ways for pedestrian circulation connects to existing or planned sidewalks or bicycle pathways in the area and is insulated as completely as possible from the vehicular circulation system. The site design complies with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding barrier-free access.
(f) Vehicular Access and Circulation. Drives, streets, parking, site access and other vehicle-related elements are designed to minimize traffic conflicts on adjacent streets and promote safe and efficient traffic circulation within the site.
(g) Building Design and Architecture. Building design and architecture relate to and are harmonious with the surrounding neighborhood with regard to texture, scale, mass, proportion, materials and color, and conforms to Historic Preservation Overlay District standards, if applicable.
(h) Parking and Loading. Off-street parking lots and loading zones are arranged, located and designed to accommodate the intensity of proposed uses, minimize conflicts with adjacent uses, enhance the character of the neighborhood, and promote shared-use of common facilities by adjoining properties.
(i) Landscaping and Screening. Landscaping and screening are provided in a manner that adequately buffers adjacent land uses and screens off-street parking, mechanical appurtenances, loading and unloading areas and storage areas from adjacent residential areas and public rights-of-way.
(j) Exterior Lighting. All exterior lighting fixtures are designed, arranged and shielded to minimize glare and light trespass, prevent night blindness and vision impairments, and maximum security.
(k) Impact Upon Public Services. The impact upon public services will not exceed the existing or planned capacity of such services, and adequate public services (including but not limited to utilities (water, sanitary & storm sewers, county drains, natural gas, electricity and telephone), streets, police and fire protection, public schools and sidewalks/bicycle paths) are available or provided to the site, and are designed with sufficient capacity and durability to properly serve the development.
(l) Drainage and Soil Erosion. Drainage systems, stormwater facilities, and soil erosion, sedimentation and dust control measures are arranged, located and designed to promote shared-use of common facilities by adjoining properties. Adjoining properties, public rights-of-way, capacity of the public storm drainage system, and local streams will not be adversely affected by stormwater runoff and sedimentation.
(m) Emergency Access and Vulnerability to Hazards. All sites and buildings are designed to allow convenient and direct emergency access, and the level of vulnerability to injury or loss from incidents involving hazardous materials or processes will not exceed the Village's emergency response capabilities.
(Ord. 21-2020. Passed 12-14-20.)