The following are guidelines and review criteria that the Town
Board and Plan Commission shall apply in reviewing land divisions.
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the Town Board from developing
and applying such additional guidelines and review criteria that the
Town Board, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate. Such guidelines
include, but are not limited to, those guidelines included in the
Town's Comprehensive Plan.
A. Land divisions should be consistent with the goals, objectives and
development standards set forth in the Town Comprehensive Plan and
shall be consistent with the Town's Code of Ordinances;
B. Land divisions should be compatible with the character, size and
quality of development on nearby and adjoining properties;
C. Land divisions should be planned and designed to maintain the rural
character of the Town;
D. Land divisions should be planned and designed to protect environmentally
sensitive sites;
E. Land divisions should be planned and designed to minimize the disruption
of groves of existing mature vegetation, particularly canopy trees
and woodlands native to presettlement Wisconsin;
F. Land divisions should be planned and designed to be sensitive to
historic and archeological sites on both the lot or parcel being divided
and on adjoining and nearby properties;
G. Land divisions should be planned and designed to minimize the disruption
of distant vistas; and
H. Lot design and siting standards, including building envelope location,
shall be in accordance with applicable Town ordinances.
In order to further the goals and policies of the Town Comprehensive
Plan, master plan and/or land use plan, assuming all other provisions
of this chapter are met, the Town Board may consider plans for land
divisions that provide for a cluster development or conservation subdivision.
In a cluster development or conservation subdivision, the overall
density of the underlying zoning district is maintained minimizing
sprawl of home sites over larger areas and preserving open space and
forestland. At the discretion of the Town Board, recorded restrictions,
including restrictive covenants or conservation easements, or both,
may be required for such plans that include the cluster development
or conservation subdivision. The intent of the Town is to allow this
type of flexibility while adhering to the design standards found in
this chapter wherever possible and appropriate.
A. At least 50% of the project area shall be designated as open space,
undivided, and protected by the Town or in equal ownership of the
owners of the future lots. Such land area shall be fully accessible
to the residents of the subdivision.
B. Stormwater management areas may be included as part of the open space
land area requirement.
C. Dedications of open space shall be reviewed by the Town in conjunction
with the environmental assessment land suitability review. Generally,
all cluster developments or conservation subdivisions shall be laid
out to protect natural features, trees or wooded areas, vistas, environmentally
sensitive areas, areas where significant fauna exists, and areas of
known archaeological or historical interest.
D. Areas where limiting factors exist, such as subsoil or bedrock conditions,
groundwater conditions, erosion potential, inadequate potential for
septic system or sewage disposal capability, may also impact land
development areas and areas reserved for common open space.
E. The Town, upon information found in the environmental assessment checklist or other land suitability review criteria, may request alteration of the open space proposed in the land division if notable impact concerning matters covered in Subsection
C or
D above are determined to exist in the review process.