Lots within subdivisions shall conform to the following standards:
(A) General lot arrangement.
(1) Every lot in a subdivision shall front on and have direct access to a public road.
(2) Side lot lines shall generally be within five degrees of being at right angles or radial to the street centerlines. A greater degree of variation may be permitted where the lot lines would create irregularly shaped lots which would unreasonably limit construction, or where adjustments to the standard lot configuration would protect regulated wetlands or preserve other natural features, such as topography.
(3) Residential lots abutting arterial streets shall be platted with reverse frontage lots or with side lot lines parallel to the arterial streets, or shall provide extra depth to permit greater distances between buildings and the arterial street. The arterial frontage shall be developed as a greenbelt as specified in § 155.46. Alternatively, lots may front on an arterial street provided that access to the lots is provided by a public secondary access road parallel to the arterial street, subject to Township Engineer approval.
(4) Lots shall have a front-to-front relationship across all streets where possible.
(5) Through lots are prohibited, except as permitted in division (A)(3) above.
(6) Except for corner lots, lots less than one acre in area shall not have frontage on more than two public streets.
(7) Lots facing a three-way intersection should be aligned to prevent on-coming headlight glare into the building envelope of the living area.
(8) Blocks shall generally be designed with tiers of two lots placed back to back, except where lots back onto an arterial road, railroad, natural feature or subdivision boundary.
(9) Corner lots shall have access to the lesser traveled roadway.
(10) If the plat extends into an adjacent community, boundaries for individual lots shall be within one community to the extent feasible. In no case shall a building envelope result in a situation where a home crosses a community or school district boundary.
(11) Lots which abut an active rail line shall have sufficient depth to comply with the minimum setback requirements from the railroad right-of-way line as specified in Chapter 156 of this code.
(B) Lot sizes and shapes.
(1) Lot area and width. Each lot shall comply with the minimum area and width requirements of Chapter 156 of this code for the district in which the subdivision is proposed.
(2) Area calculation of ponds and lakes. Areas of the subdivision plat that contain ponds, lakes or similar bodies of water shall not be platted as subdivision lots nor calculated as a portion of the minimum lot area as required by Chapter 156 of this code.
(3) Lots occupied by wetlands. A portion of each lot may be occupied by wetlands provided that, if wetlands are present on the lot, the applicant shall demonstrate that adequate buildable area exists on each lot without intruding into the required setbacks, including the required wetland or water features setback.
(4) Natural water features setback and required natural vegetation strip. A minimum setback and natural vegetation strip shall be maintained for structures and grading adjacent to any water feature, including wetlands, rivers, drains, creeks and lakes, as required by Chapter 156 of this code.
(5) Area in floodplain. Lands within the 100-year intermediate regional floodplain shall not be included within platted lots for residential uses or uses which the Planning Commission determines may increase the flood hazard or endanger life, health, general welfare or property values. The land may be set aside as open space or park land.
(6) Width-to-depth ratio. Narrow, deep lots shall be avoided. A depth-to-width ratio of three to one shall be considered a maximum, except where the proprietor demonstrates that a deeper lot will protect natural resources, such as woodlands, wetlands or wildlife habitat.
(7) Lot frontage. Each lot shall comply with the minimum road frontage required for the zoning district.
(8) Building setbacks. Lots shall be of sufficient size and proportion to accommodate the minimum required building setbacks listed in Chapter 156 of this code for the district in which the subdivision is located.
(9) Corner lot setbacks. Corner lots shall have additional depth and/or width to provide the required front yard setback along all sides facing a public street, leaving a buildable area of sufficient size to accommodate an average-sized home without variances.
(10) Non-residential lots. Lots intended for purposes other than residential use shall be specifically designated for such purposes, and shall have adequate provision for off-street parking, setbacks and other requirements in accordance with Chapter 156 of this code.
(Ord. passed 3-18-1997)