The subdivider shall observe the following requirements
and principles of land subdivision in the design of each subdivision
or portion thereof.
[Amended 3-16-2007 by Ord. No. 422; 8-15-2008 by Ord. No.
442]
All subdivisions and Planned Residential Developments
(PRDs) shall conform to design standards that will encourage good
development patterns within the Town. The Town's requirements of streets,
drainage right-of-way, storm sewer, public parks and playgrounds shall
be satisfied before approval of a subdivision plat as well as the
preliminary and final plans of PRDs where applicable. The streets,
drainage right-of-way, storm sewer or sanitary sewer plans shall be
such as to lend themselves to the harmonious development of the Town
and enhance the public welfare in accordance with the following design
standards.
A. General considerations.
(1) Required:
(a)
Structures shall have a mix of styles, sizes,
facades, roof pitches and color. For all subdivisions and PRDs, an
artist rendition and/or a computer-generated illustration of the exterior
of the proposed structure(s) shall be provided with both the preliminary
and final plans.
(b)
The developer shall take a creative approach
to the use of the land and related physical development, as well as
utilizing innovative techniques to enhance the visual character of
the development.
(c)
The minimization of erosion and sedimentation,
minimization of changes in groundwater levels and increased rates
of runoff, minimization of the potential for flooding and design of
drainage so that groundwater recharge is maximized.
(2) Encouraged:
(a)
Flexibility in design to take the greatest advantage
of native landscapes, existing community character and layout, trees
and other native vegetation as well as other unique features.
(b)
Architectural styles that reflect traditional
architecture of our beach community shall be encouraged.
(c)
The efficient use of the land that may result
in the reduction of development and future maintenance costs of street
and utility systems is highly encouraged.
(d)
Provide and incorporate planning principles
to support pedestrian, bike use as well as motor vehicle use within
and outside the subdivision or PRD.
B. Open space requirements.
(1) Required:
(a)
Open space shall be provided within all subdivisions
and PRDs. Open spaces are typically maintained as common open space
areas consisting of but not limited to lawns, trees, landscaping,
sidewalks or pathways and benches. Open space systems shall consist
of both active and/or passive uses and area.
(b)
Open space areas shall not comprise less than
10% of the gross area of the subdivision or PRD. All open space may
be open to the residents within the subdivision or PRD or be dedicated
to the Town upon mutual agreement between the applicant and/or the
developer and the Town.
(c)
Open space areas shall be arranged where possible
to maintain contiguity with open space areas on adjacent lands in
order to ensure the potential for a contiguous open space network
throughout the Town.
(d)
The size and location and configuration of open
space shall provide adequate access to residents within the subdivision
or PRD and enable appropriate access for maintenance. Long, thin or
inaccessible areas of open space shall be avoided.
C. Landscaping requirements.
(1) Required:
(a)
Landscape plans with perennial elements with
a focus of using native species shall be used to enhance the survival
rate of the plantings.
(b)
Every attempt shall be made to protect existing
mature trees and where possible they shall be incorporated into the
design of the subdivision or PRD.
(c)
Minimization of the loss of existing vegetation,
minimization of the soil removal from the site with minimal grade
changes shall be required.
(d)
Landscaped buffers using a combination of berms
and/or plantings shall be used to buffer uses within the subdivision
or PRD from nearby roadways.
(e)
For all subdivisions and PRDs, the developer
shall replace all dead trees and shrubs that are part of the development's
landscape design prior to transferring management responsibilities
to a homeowner association or equivalent.
(2) Encouraged:
(a)
Street trees may be provided and shall be planted
outside of the Town right-of-way. Adequate planting strips shall be
provided for street trees and other landscaping. Plant species shall
be utilized that will minimize future detrimental impacts to sidewalks
and streets due to root growth.
D. Street network, access and circulation requirements.
(1) Required:
(a)
All proposed street layouts shall provide an
attractive streetscape.
(2) Encouraged:
(a)
If applicable, a hierarchy of streets shall
be provided which promotes safe residential access and efficient circulation
through the subdivision or PRD.
(b)
Any through traffic shall be restricted to proposed
collector streets within the subdivision or PRD. Interconnectivity
with existing adjacent street networks shall be achieved if at all
possible.
(c)
The use of alleys shall be encouraged to allow
vehicular access and parking on the side and rear of residential lots.
(d)
Street width may be reduced in designated areas
of subdivisions and PRDs if the developer/builder can demonstrate
that the design does not compromise the health, safety and welfare
of the community and provides adequate emergency access to the structures.
E. Parking design/location considerations.
(1) Required:
(a)
Any on-street parking is clearly defined using
stripping, lines, bump outs or other traffic calming measures.
(b)
Adequate off-street and/or overflow parking
is provided using well-defined lots or areas.
(2) Encouraged:
(a)
Adequate parking be provided that can be accessed
by an alley in the rear of dwelling units is preferred.
(b)
Alternatively, adequate parking be provided
behind the dwelling units and accessed by a driveway and screened
from view of the street.
F. Lighting and signage requirements.
(1) Required:
(a)
Streetlights shall be of a consistent style
and be aesthetically pleasing throughout the subdivision or PRD and
should add value to the community as well as being compatible with
the style of the homes in the subdivision or PRD.
(b)
All signage in the subdivision or PRD shall be of a consistent style throughout the subdivision or PRD and shall comply with the signage requirements found in Chapter
530.
[Amended 8-19-2011 by Ord. No. 467]
(2) Encouraged:
(a)
Energy efficient street as well as signage lighting.
Block length and width or acreage within bounding roads shall be such as to accommodate the size of lots required in the area by Chapter
425, Zoning, and to provide for convenient access, circulation control and safety of street traffic.
Land subject to flooding and land deemed by
the Board to be uninhabitable shall not be platted for residential
occupancy nor for such other uses as may increase danger to health,
life or property or aggravate the flood hazard, but such land with
the plat shall be set aside for such uses as will not be endangered
by periodic or occasional inundation or will not produce unsatisfactory
living conditions or shall be adequately drained and filled in accordance
with regulations to the satisfaction of the Planning and Zoning
Commission.
All public utilities and facilities such as
sewer, gas, electrical and water systems shall be located and constructed
so as to minimize or eliminate flood damage and to prevent infiltration
of floodwaters. Subdivisions utilizing on-site septic systems shall
not be approved.