(a) The City may approve the clustering or attaching of buildings on parcels of land under single ownership and control, which, in the opinion of the City, have characteristics that would make sound physical development under the normal subdivision approach impractical because of parcel size, shape or dimension, because it is located in a transitional use area, because the site has natural characteristics which are worth preserving or which make platting difficult. In approving an area for cluster development, the City shall find at least one (1) of the following conditions to exist:
(1) The parcel contains floodplain or wetland soil conditions that result in a substantial portion of the total area of the parcel being unbuildable.
(2) The parcel contains natural assets that would be preserved through the use of cluster development. Such assets may include natural stands of large trees, land that serves as a natural habitat for wildlife, unique topographic features or other natural assets that should be preserved.
(3) The parcel has water frontage which would be preserved and enhanced by the clustering of housing units.
(4) The parcel is shaped in such a way that the angles formed by its boundaries make a subdivision difficult to achieve.
(5) The parcel has a substantial portion of the parcels’ perimeter bordered by land that is located in non-residential districts.
(b) In order to qualify a parcel for development for cluster housing, the City shall determine that the parcel has characteristics as stated in Section 1240.20 above and the request shall be supported by written and/or graphic documentation, prepared by a landscape architect, engineer, professional community planner, architect or environmental design professional. Such documentation shall include the following as appropriate: soil test borings, floodplain map, topographic map of maximum two (2) foot contour level and an inventory of natural assets including plant materials.
(Ord. 24-2006. Passed 3-7-06.)