(a) The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for orderly, safe and healthful development to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community and maintain a rural way of life. From and after the passage of this Ordinance, all plats and subdivisions of land within the corporate limits of the City, and all plats and subdivisions of land outside the corporate limits of the City that the Council may be petitioned to include within the corporate limits of the City by an extension of said corporate limits, and all tracts within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction, shall conform to the following rules and regulations.
(b) The system of improvements for thoroughfares, water and wastewater services, other utilities, drainage, public facilities and community amenities determine in large measure the quality of life enjoyed by the residents of the community. Health, safety, economy, amenities, environmental sensitivity and convenience are all factors which influence and determine a community's quality of life and character. A community's quality of life is of public interest. Consequently, the development of land, as it affects a community’s quality of life, is an activity whose regulation is a valid function of municipal government.
(c) The provisions contained herein are designed and intended to encourage the development of a quality urban environment by establishing standards for the provision of open space, storm water drainage, transportation, public utilities and facilities, and other needs necessary for ensuring the creation and continuance of a healthy, attractive, safe and efficient community that provides for the conservation, enhancement and protection of its human and natural resources. Through the application of this Ordinance, the interests of the public as well as those public and private parties, both present and future, having interest in property affected by these regulations are protected by the granting of certain rights and privileges.
(d) This Ordinance is designed and intended to achieve the following purposes, and shall be administered so as to:
(1) Assist orderly, efficient and coordinated development within the City's jurisdiction.
(2) Provide neighborhood conservation and prevent the development of slums and blight.
(3) Harmoniously relate the development of the various tracts of land to the existing community and facilitate the future development of adjoining tracts.
(4) Provide that the cost of improvements to minimum standards which primarily benefit the tract of land being developed be borne by the owner or developers of the tract, and that the cost of improvements to minimum standards which primarily benefit the whole community be borne by the whole community.
(5) Provide the best possible design for each tract being subdivided.
(6) Provide the most attractive relationship between the land as developed and the circulation of traffic throughout the municipality, having particular regard to the avoidance of congestion in the streets and highways, and the pedestrian traffic movements appropriate to the proposed development, and to provide for the proper location width of streets and building lines.
(7) Prevent pollution of the air, streams, and ponds; and assure the adequacy of drainage facilities; to safeguard both surface and groundwater supplies; and to encourage the wise use and management of natural resources throughout the municipality in order to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the community and the value of the land.
(8) Preserve the natural beauty and topography the municipality and ensure appropriate development with regard to these natural features.
(9) As appropriate, reconcile any differences of interest among the developer, other property owners and the City.
(10) Establish adequate and accurate records of land subdivision.
(11) Ensure that public or private facilities are available and will have a sufficient capacity to serve proposed subdivisions and developments within the City's jurisdiction.
(12) Standardize the procedure and requirements for developing property and submitting
plans for review and approval.
(13) Protect and provide for the public health, safety and general welfare of the community.
(14) Provide a healthy environment for the present and future citizens; an environment designed to reasonably secure safety from fire, flood and other dangers; and to provide that land be subdivided in a manner to attain such goals and benefits for the community.
(15) Protect the character and the social and economic stability of all parts of the community and encourage the orderly and beneficial development of all parts of the community.
(16) Protect and conserve the value of land throughout the community and the value of buildings and improvements upon the land.
(17) Guide public and private policy and action in providing adequate and efficient transportation systems, public utilities, and other public amenities and facilities.
(18) Encourage the development of a stable, prospering economic environment.
(e) Certain minimum standards for land use, construction and development within the City limits are contained in the City's Zoning Ordinance, applicable building and plumbing codes, City standard details and specifications, if any, and this Ordinance. If only the minimum standards are followed, as expressed by the various ordinances regulating land development, a standardization of development will occur. This will produce a monotonous urban setting. Subdivision design within both the City and its extraterritorial jurisdiction should be of a quality to carry out the purpose and spirit of the policies expressed in the Master Plan and in this Ordinance, rather than be limited to the minimum standards required herein.
(Ord. 2022-002, passed 4-19-2022)