The Planning Board, in considering an application for the subdivision
of land, shall be guided by the following considerations and standards, which
standards shall be deemed to be the minimum requirements for the convenience,
health, safety and welfare of the Village. In all cases except where noted
herein, the Planning Board shall be the determining agent.
A. Character of land. Land to be subdivided shall be of
such character that it can be used safely for building purposes without danger
to health or peril from fire, flood or other menace. Land subject to such
hazards shall not be subdivided nor developed for residential purposes, nor
for such other uses as may endanger health, life or property, or aggravate
a physical hazard, but such land may be set aside for uses as shall not involve
such danger nor produce unsatisfactory living conditions.
B. Conformity with Official Map and Village Development Plan and Chapter
210, Zoning. Subdivisions shall conform to the Official Map of the Village and Ulster County and shall be in harmony with the Village Development Plan, if such exist, and Chapter
210, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of Saugerties.
C. Preservation of natural cover.
(1) Land to be subdivided shall be laid out and improved
in reasonable conformity to existing topography, in order to minimize grading,
cut and fill, and to retain, insofar as possible, the natural contours, to
limit stormwater runoff, and to conserve the natural vegetative cover and
soil. Wetlands shall remain undisturbed insofar as possible.
(2) No tree, topsoil, sand, gravel or other excavated material
shall be removed from its natural position except where necessary and incidental
to the improvement of lots and the construction of streets and related facilities
in accordance with the approved plat. Topsoil so removed shall be restored
to a depth of at least six inches and properly seeded and fertilized in those
disturbed areas that are not to be occupied by buildings or structures. No
excess topsoil so removed shall be disposed of outside of the boundaries of
the Village, except upon the approval of the Village Board.
D. Preservation of existing features. Existing natural and
cultural features which are of ecological, aesthetic, scenic or historic value
to the site or the Village as a whole, such as individual trees, stands of
trees, wetlands, watercourses, ponds, rock formations, historic buildings
and places, stone walls, and similar irreplaceable assets, shall be preserved,
insofar as possible, through harmonious design of the subdivision, and, where
appropriate, the Planning Board may require the inclusion of such features
within permanent reservations.
E. Specifications for required improvements. All required
improvements shall be constructed or installed to conform to Village specifications,
where such exist, which may be obtained from the Village Engineer, Village
Superintendent of Highways or Village Planning Board; or, in the absence of
Village specifications, shall conform to the specifications of the county,
state and federal agencies with jurisdiction over such improvements or facilities.
F. Frontage on improved streets. Except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, the area proposed to be subdivided shall have frontage on and/or direct access to an approved street duly placed on the Official Map, and if such street be private, it shall be improved to the satisfaction of the Village Engineer and approved by the Planning Board or there shall be a performance guarantee held by the Village to assure such improvement, pursuant to the provisions for such guarantees in Article
VI of this chapter.
G. Cluster development subdivisions.
(1) Pursuant to § 7-738 of New York State Village Law, and the cluster development provisions of Chapter
210, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of Saugerties, the Planning Board may allow, upon request of the subdivider, or require, upon its own determination, the creation of lots at variance with the requirements of lot size, width and yards specified in Chapter
210, Zoning, where the creation of such lots would result in a more efficient layout of streets, lots and utilities, and in the preservation of natural features, important views, significant open spaces or recreation opportunities.
(2) Cluster development shall only be approved by the Planning Board only in accordance with the standards and procedures of Chapter
210, Zoning, in addition to the applicable standards of this chapter.
The subdivider may place restrictions on any of the land contained within the subdivision which restrictions are greater than those required by Chapter
210, Zoning. Such restrictions shall be indicated on the final subdivision plat.