The Subdivision Control Law has been enacted for the purpose
of protecting the safety, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants
of the cities and towns in which it is, or may hereafter be, put in
effect by regulating the laying out and construction of ways in subdivisions
providing access to the several lots therein, but which have not become
public ways, and ensuring sanitary conditions in subdivisions and,
in proper cases, parks and open areas. The powers of a Planning Board
and of a Board of Appeal under the Subdivision Control Law shall be
exercised with due regard for the provision of adequate access to
all of the lots in a subdivision by ways that will be safe and convenient
for travel; for lessening congestion in such ways and in the adjacent
public ways; for reducing danger to life and limb in the operation
of motor vehicles; for securing safety in case of fire, flood, panic
and other emergencies; for ensuring compliance with the applicable
zoning ordinances or bylaws; for securing adequate provision for water,
sewerage, drainage, electric power, fuel, communication, streetlighting
and other requirements where necessary in a subdivision; and for coordinating
the ways in a subdivision with each other and with the public ways
in the city or town in which it is located and with the ways in neighboring
subdivisions.