In reviewing any site plan, the Planning Board
shall consider the following performance standards.
A.
Pedestrian and vehicular traffic movement within and
adjacent to the site with particular emphasis on the provision and
layout of parking areas, off-street loading and unloading and movement
of people, goods and vehicles. Circulation shall also include bike
and pedestrian paths where appropriate.
B.
The Planning Board shall ensure that all parking spaces
are usable and are safely and conveniently arranged. Access to the
site from adjacent roads shall be designed so as to interfere as little
as possible with traffic flow on these roads and to permit vehicles
a rapid and safe ingress and egress to the site.
C.
The circulation system shall also be designed to implement
state requirements for the handicapped. Separate pedestrian circulation
facilities shall be considered as indicated.
The design and layout of buildings and parking
areas shall be reviewed so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing
design and efficient arrangement. Particular attention shall be given
to safety and fire protection, impact on surrounding development and
contiguous and adjacent buildings and lands.
[Amended 8-19-2002 by Ord. No. 32-02]
Adequate lighting shall be provided to ensure safe movement of persons and vehicles and for security purposes. Lighting standards shall be a type approved by the Planning Board. Directional lights shall be arranged so as to minimize glare and reflection on adjacent properties. All lighting shall be in accordance with the standards of § 159-41, Lighting, landscaping and buffering.
A.
Buffering. Required buffering shall be located around
the perimeter of the site to minimize the annoyance of headlights
of vehicles, noise, light from structures and the movement of people
and vehicles and to shield activities from adjacent properties when
necessary. Buffering may consist of fencing, evergreens, shrubs, bushes,
deciduous trees or combinations thereof to achieve the stated objectives.
B.
Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided as part
of the overall site plan design and integrated into building arrangements,
topography, parking and buffering requirements. Landscaping shall
include trees, bushes, shrubs, ground cover, perennials, annuals,
plants, sculpture, art and the use of building and paving materials
in an aesthetically pleasing manner and appropriate to the site.
C.
Open space.
(1)
Open space shall be provided as part of any planned
development, cluster subdivision or multifamily development. The open
space shall be classified as developed (recreational) or undeveloped
(natural) space. Open space and recreation areas shall be distributed
throughout the development and be readily accessible.
(2)
Open space shall serve as a buffer to help integrate
buildings and uses. A recreation facility or park can be used to integrate
a project with the surrounding neighborhood.
(3)
Developed open space shall average between 500 to
1,000 square feet per dwelling unit.
(4)
Developed open space used for active recreational
use shall not be less than 2,000 square feet or less than 60 feet
in its smallest dimension. This type of space shall be distributed
in relation to the dwelling units it is intended to serve. Developed
open space shall be reasonably accessible to all dwelling units in
the project. All developed open space should be linked to all other
open spaces by walkway systems.
(5)
Undeveloped open spaces shall have as a prime objective
the preservation of a site's natural amenities. Ponds, rock outcroppings,
wooded areas, vistas, steep slopes, ravines and stream beds are prime
lands recommended for undeveloped open space.
D.
Buffer requirements for houses of worship and schools.
At least 1/2 of the width of the required landscaped buffer (37 1/2)
feet shall be a landscaped berm with an average height of at least
three feet and nowhere less than two feet in height. The landscaped
berm shall be planted in a dense mix of indigenous vegetation consisting
of coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. Planted berms shall
be located on site so as to minimize off-site impacts on adjoining
uses such as, but not limited to, sound, noise and lighting glare.
The remaining 1/2 of the width of the required landscaped buffer shall
be suitably planted in a mix of indigenous plantings and may consist
of vegetation existing on site, if, in the opinion of the reviewing
Board, said existing vegetation provides adequate planted buffering
of the site. Where buffers may be reduced in nonresidential zones,
or where property boundaries do not abut residential zones or uses,
at least 1/2 of the required buffer shall be a landscaped berm as
provided herein, and the remaining 1/2 of the required buffer shall
be planted in accordance with the planting requirements of this section.
[Added 6-18-2001 by Ord. No. 14-01]
Signs shall be designed so as to be aesthetically
pleasing, harmonious with other signs on the site and located so as
to achieve their purpose without constituting hazards to vehicles
and pedestrians.
A.
Design theme. There shall be a consistent sign design
theme throughout a particular project. The design theme shall include
style of lettering, construction, material, type of pole or standards
(wood or metal, for example), size and lighting. Color of letters
and background shall be carefully considered in relation to the color
of the material or buildings or where the signs are proposed to be
located.
B.
Location. Signs shall be located so as not to create a hazard. At intersections, the sight distances required by § 159-39F(1)(b) shall be maintained. The location of signs shall be selected to ensure visibility. Signs designed to be seen from vehicles shall be perpendicular to the line of travel, while signs designed to be read on foot can be parallel with walks.
Storm drainage, sanitary waste disposal, water supply and solid waste collection and disposal shall be reviewed and considered. Particular emphasis shall be given to the adequacy of existing systems and the need for improvements, both on site and off site, to adequately carry runoff and sewage and to maintain an adequate supply of water at sufficient pressure. The requirements of Chapter 175, Subdivision of Land, § 175-34A, shall be followed.
Environmental elements relating to soil erosion,
preservation of trees, protection of watercourses and resources, noise,
topography, soil and animal life shall be reviewed, and the design
of the plan shall minimize any adverse impact on these elements.
The site plan shall provide for those elements
of street furniture appropriate to the particular use. These may include
phone booths, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, bus shelters,
kiosks and similar items.
[Added 2-20-1995 by Ord. No. 3-95]
Improvements to existing roads fronting the site shall comply with road widths, construction and time restrictions as set forth in Chapter 175, Subdivision of Land.
