The design requirements set forth below shall be considered as minimum standards and may be exceeded by the subdivider.
(A) Preservation of existing features. Existing features that would enhance the development of the area as a whole, such as trees, historic sites, or striking physical features, shall be preserved in the design of the subdivision.
(B) Grading permit required. No trees shall be removed from any subdivision nor any change of grade of land be made until an approved grading permit has been issued by a Building Official. Engineering reports may be required from the developer before issuance of the grading permit.
(C) Lot access. Each lot within the subdivision shall be provided with access to a street.
(D) Easements. Easements for utilities and minor drainage ways shall be provided on every lot within the subdivision.
(E) Development of areas subject to flooding. Low areas within the subdivision subject to periodic flooding shall not be developed except for such uses that are compatible with such an area. FEMA Floodway Maps and Flood Insurance Rate Maps may provide a guide to determining areas with flooding potential.
(F) Avoidance of improvements prohibited. Land shall not be subdivided in a manner which omits part of the original tract to avoid otherwise necessary improvements, such as (but not limited to) stormwater management facilities or streets.
(G) Street or subdivision names. Street or subdivision names shall not duplicate by spelling or sound or otherwise be confused with the names of existing streets or subdivisions. Such names are subject to approval of the Planning Official after consultation with the appropriate Emergency Services Communication (911) Official and Register of Deeds.
(H) Block lengths. Block lengths shall not exceed 800 feet and shall normally be wide enough to allow two tiers of lots of appropriate depth.
(I) Commercial and industrial lots. Lots in commercial and industrial zoning districts shall be designed to have sufficient depth and width to provide off-street loading, unloading, and parking for the proposed use.
(J) Lot configuration and buffering. Double-frontage and reverse frontage lots shall be avoided except where essential to provide separation of residential development from arterial streets, to overcome specific disadvantages of topography, or to provide mitigation from the effects of adjoining commercial or industrial zoning districts. The Board of Commissioners may require that a planting screen or an earth berm be constructed by the subdivider along the line of lots abutting an arterial street, topographic feature, or adjoining commercial or industrial zoning district.
(K) Side lot lines. Side lot lines shall be designed at right angles to streets except on curves, where they shall be radial.
(L) Exterior street connections. Subdivisions shall be provided with street connections to at least two exterior public streets unless otherwise first approved by the Board of Commissioners.
(M) Improvement of abutting streets. If the land to be subdivided abuts an existing street that is surfaced but not paved, the subdivider shall improve the street in compliance with the city’s specifications.
(N) Mail delivery. Installation of gang mailboxes and a vehicle turnout will be required if so requested by the Postmaster.
(O) Alleys. Alleys shall be required in commercial and industrial zoning districts unless other provisions are first approved by the Board of Commissioners for service access for loading, unloading, and parking.
(Ord. #115, passed 2-16-2017)