Town of North Andover, MA Article VI Improvements and Design Requirements

§ 255-6.1 General requirements.

A. In order to provide for streets of suitable location, width and construction to accommodate prospective traffic and afford satisfactory access for police, emergency and medical, fire-fighting, snow removal, sanitation and other road maintenance equipment; to coordinate streets so as to compose a convenient system; to avoid undue financial burdens for present and future taxpayers; and to avoid potential natural or technological hazards or nuisances, including the problems associated with uncontrolled stormwater run-off, the Board has established the design of subdivisions set forth in this article.

B. In addition to the requirements established in these regulations, all subdivisions shall conform to the provisions of the Town of North Andover Zoning Bylaw,[1] the regulations of the North Andover Board of Health, the Town of North Andover Water Rules and Regulations, the Town of North Andover Sewer Regulations, the Town of North Andover Zoning Bylaw and Rules and the Town of North Andover Wetlands Protection Bylaw and its regulations,[2] and all other rules and regulations applicable in the development of land in North Andover.

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Zoning.

[2] Editor's Note: See the wetlands bylaw in Ch. 190; and regulations in Ch. 250.

§ 255-6.2 Character of land.

A. Protection of natural features.

(1) In the laying out of a subdivision, the applicant shall comply with these rules and regulations with due regard to all natural features such as large trees, watercourses, scenic or historic elements, aquifers, floodplains, habitats of rare or endangered species, and any state-listed plant species as defined by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. These features shall be left undisturbed wherever practical, and the Board may waive design requirements in order to protect important natural features.

(2) New subdivisions shall in all cases be designed so that compatibility with existing neighborhoods is achieved, and the maximum amenities (sidewalks, utilities, guardrails and fences, curbing) within the new development are created.

(3) New subdivisions shall in all cases be designed to achieve the least amount of earth disturbance (cutting, filling, regrading).

B. Unsuitable land. Land which the Board finds to be unsuitable for development due to flooding, improper drainage or adverse drainage, adverse topography, poor soils, bedrock, location of utility easements, or other features which the Board has reason to believe would be detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of the present or future inhabitants of the subdivision and/or its surrounding area shall not be subdivided or developed unless adequate measures are formulated by the applicant and are approved by the Board to eliminate or minimize any short-term or long-term impacts created by development of the unsuitable land.

C. Subdivisions straddling municipal boundaries. Whenever access to the subdivision is required across land in another town, the Board will not approve subdivisions where the access to the subdivision is required across land in another town.

D. Self-imposed restrictions. If, as part of a subdivision application, the applicant or owner places voluntary restrictions on any of the land contained in the subdivision which are greater than the requirements of these regulations or of the Town of North Andover bylaw, such restrictions or references thereto shall be indicated and located on the definitive plan and shall be recorded in the Essex South District Registry of Deeds or the Land Court.

§ 255-6.3 Lots.

A. Lot arrangement. Lots shall be arranged so there will be no foreseeable difficulties due to topography, soils, wetland resource areas, bedrock, improper drainage, or other conditions, in securing permits to build upon all lots in compliance with the Town of North Andover Zoning Bylaw,[1] nor in providing practical, feasible driveway access to a building on each such lot.

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Zoning.

B. Lot dimensions. Lot dimensions shall comply with the minimum standards of the Town of North Andover Zoning Bylaw. Dimensions of corner lots should be large enough to allow for erection of buildings and fulfilling the minimum front yard setback and lot width from both streets. Depth and width of properties laid out for business or industrial use shall be adequate to provide for the off-street parking and loading facilities required by the Zoning Bylaw.

C. Soil preservation, sedimentation and erosion control. The applicant shall comply with the Rules and Regulations Governing Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control as provided for in Appendix VI of these rules and regulations.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Appendix VI is included as an attachment to this chapter.

D. Lot drainage. Lots shall be laid out to provide positive drainage away from all proposed buildings. Individual lot drainage shall be designed to avoid concentrating stormwater drainage from each lot onto adjacent lots and/or the street.

E. Debris and waste. No construction debris, junk, rubbish or other nonbiodegradable waste materials shall be buried on any land in the subdivision or left on any lot or on the street right-of-way, and removal of the same shall be required prior to final release of any covenant or security. Stump dumps are not allowed.

§ 255-6.4 Construction specifications.

The specifications for construction, as referenced in Appendices I through VI of these rules and regulations,[1] shall be used as a guide for required construction specifications unless otherwise directed. The Board, upon recommendation from the Board's designee, shall determine if the standards have been met.

[1] Editor's Note: The appendices are included as attachments to this chapter.

§ 255-6.5 General construction procedures.

A. Notification to subdivision inspector. No step in the construction of the required improvements shall commence until the Board's designee has been notified at least 48 hours in advance of the beginning of construction phases.

B. Inspections.

(1) Each phase or step in the construction of the required improvements shall be inspected and approved in writing by the Board's designee. The Board's designee may require submittals and testing as necessary to assure proper construction. At a minimum, the applicant shall request an inspection at the following stages of construction:

(a) Following stakeouts of the limits of clearing and grubbing.

(b) Following clearing and grubbing, stakeout of the top and bottom of street side slopes and prior to the placement of any fill material.

(c) During installation of all utilities and prior to any backfilling of utility excavations.

(d) Following construction of detention/retention ponds and other stormwater management structures.

(e) Following fine grading and compaction of roadway pavement subgrade and prior to placement of gravel subbase material.

(f) Following placement, compaction and grading of the roadway pavement gravel and crushed stone subbase courses.

(g) During placement of the bituminous concrete base course(s).

(h) During construction of granite curb and edging.

(i) During placement of bituminous concrete top course.

(j) Following fine grading and compaction of sidewalk and path pavement subgrade.

(k) Following placement, compaction and grading of the sidewalk and path gravel base course material.

(l) During sidewalk pavement construction.

(m) Following installation of bounds and all other improvements.

(2) The applicant shall not proceed with construction of any of the above stages of development until the Board's designee has signed off on the previous stage.

(3) The Board's designee may require inspection at such other intervals as deemed necessary to assure proper construction of improvements, including but not limited to as-built drawing submittals required under § 255-5.14. In addition, the Board's designee may require periodic inspection reports from the applicant's engineer.

(4) The applicant shall employ a certified testing laboratory for material testing. At a minimum, the following materials shall be tested for conformance with these specifications:

(a) Gravel subbase.

(b) Crushed stone subbase.

(c) Processed gravel backfill.

(d) All bituminous concrete mixes.

(e) Cement concrete.

(5) Manufacturer's certification shall be furnished for:

(a) All types of pipe and pipe system appurtenances.

(b) Precast drainage; sewer and retention/detention pond outlet structures.

§ 255-6.6 Construction methods.

A. Clearing and grubbing. The area within the proposed street rights-of-way shall be cleared and grubbed except for those trees which are intended to be preserved as street trees and to be retained in side slope areas.

B. Earth excavation. All excavation shall conform to the lines and grades shown on the approved definitive plan(s). Where organic soils, ledge or clay is encountered within the right-of-way, it shall be removed entirely and, where necessary, replaced with sand and gravel. Where water is encountered, or is expected to be encountered, within four feet of the finished grade of the street, subsurface drainage, of a design acceptable to the Board, upon recommendation from the Board's designee, shall be installed. Proposed roadway side slopes higher than 15 feet shall contain horizontal benches with drainage swales to ensure side slope soil stability.

C. Ledge excavation. Boulders or ledge shall be removed to a depth of at least 24 inches below finished grade wherever it exists within the road or sidewalk pavement area.

D. Retaining walls. If street and/or side slope grades require more than two feet of cut or fill, the Board may require retaining walls along abutting property lines unless a suitable alternative is approved by the Board.

§ 255-6.7 Streets: basic requirements.

A. Frontage. No subdivision shall be approved unless the land to be subdivided shall have frontage on an existing or proposed public street or, if the area to be subdivided is to use a private way to access the public street, the private way shall be improved or constructed by the applicant to meet the minimum design and construction requirements of these regulations.

B. Improving existing streets. If a subdivision borders an existing but inadequately constructed public or private street, the applicant may be required to improve the street bordering the subdivision tract or provide the land necessary for future improvements for that portion bordering the subdivision. Land used for or reserved for future street improvements may not be counted in satisfying the setback and area requirements of the Town of North Andover Zoning Bylaw.[1] If the projected traffic generation from the proposed development, as determined in the traffic impact analysis required in § 255-5.4D(6), will have adverse impacts on traffic conditions on existing public streets, and their intersections, the applicant shall construct and pay for the improvements required to mitigate or minimize the impacts.

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Zoning.

C. Topography and location. Streets shall be designed and located to conform as closely as possible to the original topography of the site. There shall be a minimum amount of cut and fill in the design and construction of the streets. The overriding concern is public safety; therefore, the overall topography of the site shall be taken into consideration, resulting in an avoidance of steep grades and curves.

D. Street names. Proposed street names shall be included on the plans and shall be sufficiently different in sound and in spelling from other street names in the Town so as not to cause confusion. A street which is planned as a continuation of an existing street shall bear the same name. The proposed street name shall be included in the application submitted to the Board. E-911 shall give final approval of all street names.

E. Street numbers. Street numbers shall be assigned by the DPW and shall be included in the application submitted to the Board.

§ 255-6.8 Streets: design standards.

A. Table IA.

Minimum Design Standards for Local Streets (Design Speed: 30 miles per hour)
		Residential	Nonresidential
Design speed		30 mph	30 mph
Minimum ROW width		50 feet	60 feet
Minimum pavement width		26 feet	30 feet
Minimum center line curve radius		225 feet	250 feet
Minimum tangent length between reverse curves		150 feet	150 feet
Minimum intersection corner curb radius		40 feet	40 feet
Minimum horizontal and vertical site distance		200 feet	250 feet
Center line profile grade - maximum		8%	7%
Center line profile grade - minimum		1%	1%
Vertical curve - minimum length		100 feet	100 feet
Vertical curve: K value - crest		30	30
Vertical curve: K value - sag		40	40
Pavement cross slope - normal crown		3%	3%
Maximum superelevation		6%	6%
Culs-de-sac:
Maximum length (roadway plus turnaround)		600 feet	600 feet
Minimum turnaround ROW radius		120 feet	170 feet
Minimum turnaround pavement diameter		100 feet	120 feet

B. Table IB.

Minimum Design Standards for Collector Streets (Design Speed: 40 miles per hour)
	Residential	Nonresidential
Design speed	40 mph	40 mph
Minimum ROW width	50 feet	60 feet
Minimum pavement width	26 feet	30 feet
Minimum center line curve radius	450 feet	450 feet
Minimum tangent length between reverse curves	150 feet	150 feet
Minimum intersection corner curb radius	40 feet	40 feet
Minimum horizontal and vertical site distance	325 feet	325 feet
Center line profile grade - maximum	6%	6%
Center line profile grade - minimum	1%	1%
Vertical curve - minimum length	100 feet	100 feet
Vertical curve: K value - crest	80	80
Vertical curve: K value - sag	70	70
Pavement cross slope - normal crown	3%	3%
Maximum superelevation	6%	6%

C. Table IC.

Minimum Design Standards for Arterial Streets (Design Speed: 45 miles per hour)
	Residential and Nonresidential
Design Speed	45 mph
Minimum ROW width	60 feet
Minimum pavement width	36 feet
Minimum center line curve radius	800 feet
Minimum tangent length between reverse curves	150 feet
Minimum intersection corner curb radius	50 feet
Minimum horizontal and vertical site distance	450 feet
Center line profile grade - maximum	5%
Center line profile grade - minimum	1%
Vertical curve - minimum length	100 feet
Vertical curve: K value - crest	120
Vertical curve: K value - sag	90
Pavement cross slope - normal crown	3%
Maximum superelevation	6%

D. Street geometry. Street geometry (i.e., horizontal and vertical alignment) should be selected to achieve both safe vehicular movement and adequate sight distances for associated design speeds. The design engineer shall demonstrate conformance to this objective by providing tables of calculations which indicate the resultant sight distances.

E. Excess right-of-way. Right-of-way widths in excess of the standards designated in Tables IA, IB, and IC may be required whenever, due to anticipated future traffic/loading conditions, additional width is necessary to provide improved alignment.

F. Cul-de-sac, temporary.

(1) The subdivision design shall provide for continuation of streets between adjacent properties when such continuation promotes the convenient movement of traffic, effective fire protection and emergency vehicle access, efficient snow removal service and efficient provision of utilities.

(2) If the adjacent property is undeveloped and a street must be dead-ended temporarily, the right-of-way shall extend to the property line.

G. Cul-de-sac, permanent. If a street will not extend beyond the subdivision boundaries and its continuation is not required for access to an adjoining property, the terminus shall not be nearer the subdivision boundary than 50 feet. A permanent dead-end street shall be provided with a cul-de-sac turnaround in accordance with Subsection A of this section, Table IA.

H. Reserve strips. Reserve strips prohibiting access to streets or adjoining property shall not be permitted except where, in the opinion of the Board, such strips shall be in the public interest.

I. Intersections.

(1) Streets shall be laid out so as to intersect as nearly as possible at right angles, and in no case at less than a seventy-five-degree angle. New intersections at one side of an existing street shall align directly with any existing intersection at the opposite side of the street whenever feasible. Street intersection jogs with center-line offsets of less than 150 feet shall not be permitted.

(2) Street intersections shall be designed with a flat grade (not greater than 3%) for a distance of at least 100 feet as the street approaches each side, as applicable, of any intersecting street.

(3) The minimum sight distances (in both directions) at all intersections of streets shall be the decision sight distance listed in Section 7 of the MassDOT Highway Design Manual.

§ 255-6.9 Curbing.

At a minimum, a continuous low-profile, granite edging shall be provided as an integral part of all new streets. On cul-de-sac turnarounds and at intersections, vertical granite curbing shall be required. Vertical granite curb inlets with curb transition sections shall be required at the back of catch basins, on grades over 6%, and at the intersections with arterial streets.

§ 255-6.10 Driveway aprons.

Driveway aprons and road pavement shall be installed at the same time. Aprons shall extend from the street to the street right-of-way line. In the event that the driveway aprons cannot be installed at the same time as the street construction, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the driveway aprons are installed prior to the acceptance of the street by Town Counsel and the Board's designee. If a lot is undeveloped, the applicant shall curb the frontage of the lot until such time as the lot owner obtains a street opening permit.

§ 255-6.11 Sidewalks.

A. Requirement.

(1) Sidewalks shall be required on both sides of the street along all arterials.

(2) Sidewalks shall be required on one side of the street along all local and collector streets unless the Board determines pedestrian movement is otherwise accommodated.

(3) Sidewalks shall be constructed at the same time as, and in conjunction with, the roadway.

B. Design standards. The design and construction of sidewalks shall be based upon the nature and density of development as shown in Table II. All sidewalks shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the edge of the roadway.

Table II Minimum Design Standards for Sidewalks
Street Class	Zoning District
	Residential	Nonresidential
Local	Bituminous meandering1 standard2 5 feet wide	Or concrete standard 6 feet wide in business district or bituminous standard 5 feet wide in other areas
Collector	Bituminous meandering standard 5 feet wide	Or concrete standard 6 feet wide in business district or bituminous standard 5 feet wide in other areas
Arterial	Bituminous standard 5 feet wide	Or concrete standard 6 feet wide in business district or bituminous standard 5 feet wide in other areas

Footnotes:
1	Meandering: following existing terrain and major features such as stone walls, large trees, or rock outcroppings, within the street right-of-way.
2	Standard: uniform width parallel to the street.

C. Materials. Where new sidewalks are to be constructed in short sections to connect existing sidewalks, the new sections shall be constructed of the same materials as the existing sidewalks.

D. ADA requirements. All sidewalks and ramps shall conform with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Wheelchair ramps shall be constructed in conformance with the current editions of the MassDOT Wheelchair Ramp Standards. Wheelchair ramps shall be cement concrete, except ramps in bituminous concrete sidewalks parallel to the street at the intersection.

§ 255-6.12 Monuments.

A. Requirements. Monuments shall be four feet long, six-inch-square concrete or granite, and shall be installed at all street intersections, at all points of change in direction or at curvature of streets, at two property corners of all new lots and at any other points where, in the opinion of the Board, permanent monuments are necessary.

B. Monument spacing. Monuments located in the street right-of-way shall be spaced so as to be within sight of each other, the sight lines being contained wholly within the street right-of-way limits. The maximum interval shall be 1,000 feet.

C. Monument materials. Monuments shall be standard granite markers of not less than four feet in length and not less than five inches square, and shall have a drill hole in the center. If subsoil conditions prohibit installation of four-foot monuments, with advance approval by the Board, monuments meeting alternative specifications shall be installed. Monuments shall be set flush with the finished grade.

D. Monument certification. No permanent monuments shall be installed until all construction which would destroy or disturb the monuments is completed. Placement and location of bounds are to be certified by a registered professional land surveyor after installation of the street, and shall be shown on the "as-built" or record plans.

§ 255-6.13 Utilities in general.

A. Installation. All utility lines and/or other subsurface facilities within the street rights-of-way shall be installed prior to the placement of the roadway subbase materials.

B. Identification.

(1) The applicant shall provide and install utility identification tape for all underground utility installations. The tape shall be placed in the trench a minimum of 12 inches above the pipe, conduit or cable and not less than 12 inches below the finished grade.

(2) Identification tape for utilities shall be traceable, durable, and either nonbiodegradable plastic or metallic, and shall be approximately six inches wide by 0.004 inch, or four mil, in thickness.

(3) The following colors shall be used:

(a) Orange: Gas.

(b) Yellow: Electric.

(c) Green: Communications (telephone, cable, fire alarm).

(d) Blue: Water.

(e) Red: Sanitary Sewer.

C. Easements. Wherever necessary, the Board shall require perpetual, unobstructed easements for sewers, storm drains, power lines and water mains. Such easements shall be a minimum width of 30 feet, centered on the utility, and shall be indicated on the definitive plan by metes and bounds.

(1) Easements for water, sewer, electric, telephone lines and drainage piping or channels shall be provided at locations determined by the Board and the Department of Public Works for the provision or extension of utilities within the development or to adjacent properties. Such easements shall be no less than 20 feet in width.

(2) Where a subdivision is traversed by any open watercourse, drainageway, channel or stream, an easement shall be provided which substantially conforms to the lines of such features for the purpose of protection against encroachment or alteration. Such easements shall be at least 30 feet in width, unless determined otherwise by the Board or Department of Public Works. Where such easement or any part thereof crosses or appears on any subdivision lot in the development, the deed for said lot shall provide a restriction which shall run with the lot which prohibits any encroachment or alteration within such easement.

(3) Utility easements into or crossing any open space or protected area shall be prohibited unless approved by the Board upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Works.

(4) Where easements have been approved entering into or crossing open spaces or protected areas, they shall be restored to reflect as nearly as possible the conditions existing prior to the easement. Vegetative visual buffering required by the Planning Board in such easements shall be the responsibility of the developer and shall be reflected in the subdivision performance guarantee.

(5) Easements for access to parks and conservation lands abutting a proposed subdivision may be required by the Board. These easements shall be at a width determined by the Board to be sufficient for their purpose but will not normally exceed 30 feet in width.

(6) The developer may be required to obtain off-site drainage easements when, in the Board's opinion, the subdivision will cause an increase or change in the surface water volumes or velocities, either through open channels or through culverts into or onto any abutting properties.

(7) Where the easement is accessible from the street, the side slope shall be no greater than four feet horizontal to one foot vertical. The first 20 feet of the easement from the back of sidewalk, or edge of roadway, shall have a twelve-inch-deep base of gravel subbase material beneath the topsoil to support maintenance equipment.

§ 255-6.14 Storm drainage.

Stormwater run-off shall be disposed of through a combination of storage and controlled release, as indicated in the Rules and Regulations Governing Stormwater Management. (See Appendix V.[1]) Drainage systems shall be designed according to the following principles and criteria:

A. Peak flows. Property shall be developed in such a manner as to maximize stormwater recharge on the site and to minimize direct overland run-off into adjoining streets and watercourses. Peak flows and run-off at the boundaries of the subdivision shall be no higher following development than before development, for the ten-year and one-hundred-year storm events.

B. Capacity. Drainage systems shall have adequate capacity to carry all stormwater run-off presently flowing through the subdivision, as well as to dispose of any additional run-off generated by the proposed development, up to and including the run-off from a one-hundred-year storm using the following methods:

(1) The flow from storms of up to a twenty-five-year frequency and a twenty-four-hour duration shall be conveyed through the storm drain system on the subdivision site. Storm drain piping and grate inlets shall be designed for a twenty-five-year storm event.

(2) Detention facilities and culverts shall be provided to accommodate all run-off, up to and including the run-off generated by the one-hundred-year, twenty-four-hour storm. As a minimum, detention basin routing calculations shall be prepared for the ten-year and one-hundred-year storm events.

C. Release rate. The combination of storage and design release rate shall not result in a storage duration of greater than 72 hours. The maximum depth of stormwater detention/retention areas shall be four feet.

D. Outlet structures. Outlet control structures shall be designed as simply as possible and shall require as little maintenance as possible for proper operation.

E. Emergency overflow. Each stormwater detention area shall be provided with a method of emergency overflow in the event of a storm in excess of the one-hundred-year frequency type.

F. Natural patterns. Natural drainage patterns shall be used wherever possible. All existing watercourses shall be left as existing unless approval to alter them is obtained through the Conservation Commission. All new open watercourses shall be protected from erosion with seeded, sodded, rip-rapped, stone-lined or other treatment required for the projected volume and velocity of flow.

G. Alteration. Any alteration of land on the site shall be such that changes in existing patterns of drainage shall not affect properties outside the subdivision by increasing the amount or rate of peak flow as designated by the Wetlands Protection Act.

H. Structured systems. If soil conditions or topography make natural drainage systems impractical and existing drains in adjacent streets or easements have adequate capacity to accommodate the drainage flow from the subdivision, a structured system shall be used and appropriate connection to the existing Town drainage system shall be made.

I. Calculations.

(1) Hydraulic calculations, prepared by a registered professional engineer, shall note the specific engineering and/or computer program to be used. Hydraulic calculations shall be submitted to substantiate all design features of any proposed drainage system. Computations for run-off shall be made in accordance with standard engineering practice, acceptable to the Board's designee. Pipe systems shall be designed to provide self-cleaning flow velocities.

(2) The hydrology calculations information shall include the following information, as a minimum:

(a) Runoff area boundaries shown on a plan.

(b) Methodology used.

(c) C factors and I values used for existing and proposed conditions.

(d) Soil conditions/groundwater.

(3) The hydraulic calculations shall show the following information, as a minimum:

(a) Capacity and projected volume of each catch basin or other inlet grate.

(b) Pipe size calculation.

(c) Detention/Retention pond calculations, including outlet structure as applicable.

(d) Total suspended solid (TSS) removal rates.

(e) Infiltration calculations as applicable.

(f) Gutter flow calculations.

(g) Culvert analysis and calculation as applicable.

J. Detention/Retention basin side slopes. Basin area side slopes shall be kept as close as possible to natural land contours, i.e. 10% or less wherever possible. A maximum 3:1 side slope shall be constructed for the interior of the basin areas. For security purposes, fencing may be required by the Board. Drainage basins shall be designed to facilitate access for maintenance vehicles and personnel.

K. Drainage easements.

(1) If it is necessary to carry drainage across lots within the subdivision, storm drainage easements shall be provided, of such width and construction as will be adequate to accommodate the volume and velocity of the run-off. However, no such easement shall be less than 30 feet in width.

(2) If a proposed drainage system would carry water across land outside the subdivision boundaries to an approved outfall, appropriate drainage rights shall be secured by the applicant at the applicant's expense, and shall be referenced on the definitive plan.

[1] Editor's Note: Appendix V is included as an attachment to this chapter.

§ 255-6.15 Water facilities.

A. Installation. The applicant shall be responsible for installing water facilities, including, but not limited to, water supply, pipes, hydrants, hydrant markers, gates, valves, and all other related appurtenances, in accordance with the regulations and master plan of the Water Department. Any extension of an existing pipe and construction of new pipes requires approval from the Water Department. Building service pipes and appurtenances from the system piping to the exterior line of the street right-of-way shall be constructed for each lot unless the Board of Health has approved individual wells. Said water facilities shall be shown on the definitive plan.

B. Fire hydrants. Fire hydrants shall be required for all subdivisions. Fire hydrants, with hydrant markers, shall be located not more than 500 feet apart; shall be approved, in writing, as to location by the Fire Chief and the DPW; and shall be shown on the definitive plan.

C. Extensions. Reasonable provisions shall be made for extension of the water system and pipes to adjoining property, including installation of water gates. Appropriate easements may be required.

D. Additional alternative system of water supply/fire protection. If the municipal water supply is available, but the minimum required flow is not available, in addition to extending the municipal water system, the applicant shall propose an alternative system for providing water supply for fire protection.

E. Municipal water supply not available. If the municipal water supply is not available to the subdivision, the applicant shall propose an alternative method of providing water supply for fire protection. Water for fire fighting may be supplied by natural or man-made bodies of water. The surface of each pumping access point shall be adequate to support at least 42,000 pound gvw vehicles at all times of the year. Provisions shall be made so that such water suction points shall be visible and usable in all weather conditions. Each dry hydrant which may be exposed to damage by vehicular traffic shall be protected by suitable barriers.

§ 255-6.16 Sewers.

A. Installation. In the event that the Town sanitary sewer system is located within an existing public way within 400 feet measured along the existing public way or proposed roadway of the subdivision, the applicant shall be responsible for connecting all lots to the sewerage system. Connection to the system shall require an approval from the DPW, and any other required approvals, including, but not limited to, a permit for extension of the sewer system issued by the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control.

B. Sewer options. If the applicant is not required to connect to the Town sanitary sewer system, the applicant shall provide an alternative system for wastewater disposal. The following options are available:

(1) Install a communal sewage disposal system, the design and construction of which shall be subject to the approval of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the North Andover Board of Health and all other necessary review agencies; or

(2) Provide engineering data in accordance with Title 5, Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage, of the Massachusetts Environmental Code and with the Rules and Regulations for Sewage Disposal Installations as promulgated and amended from time to time by the Town of North Andover Board of Health (See Appendix V.[1]), to prove to the satisfaction of the Board and the Board of Health the feasibility of providing private on-lot sewage disposal systems for each lot. Each on-lot system shall be located in the front yard, wherever practical, to facilitate future connections to the Town sewerage system.

[1] Editor's Note: Appendix V is included as an attachment to this chapter.

(3) Grading for slope requirements for on-site sewage disposal systems shall be totally contained within the lot upon which such system is proposed. No slope easements onto any adjacent lot or property shall be permitted.

§ 255-6.17 Electric and communications lines. [1]

A. Installation. All electrical and communications lines shall be installed underground.[2] Communications lines shall include, but not be limited to, telephone and community antenna television cable.

[2] Editor's Note: See also Ch. 175, Underground Utilities.

B. Electric lines. The electrical power distribution shall be installed in accordance with the specifications of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Public Works of the Town of North Andover in effect at the time of application.

[1] Editor's Note: See also Appendix III, Specifications for Installation of Electrical Services, included as an attachment to this chapter.

§ 255-6.18 Trees and other plantings.

A. Location. Street trees shall be planted by the applicant on all streets within the tract being subdivided. Trees shall be planted within the street right-of-way, between the sidewalks and the edge of the street pavement and shall be spaced at intervals of approximately 50 feet on center, but no closer than 35 feet on center.

B. Species. The species of street trees selected shall be a minimum of four different species from the list of recommended street trees below:

(1) Fraxinus ornus (flowering ash).

(2) Liquidambar styraciflua (sweet gum).

(3) Acer saccharum (sugar maple).

(4) Tilia tomentosum (silver linden).

(5) Acer campestre (hedge maple).

(6) Fraxinus americana (white ash).

(7) Plantanus x acerifolia (London planetree).

(8) Acer platanoides (Norway maple).

C. Requirements. Tree size and planting shall conform to the requirements of Appendix IV, Tree Planting Specifications.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Appendix IV is included as an attachment to this chapter.

§ 255-6.19 Guard rails.

Guard rails shall be installed in all areas where fill slopes in excess of the required 3:1 have been approved. Appropriate slope treatment and erosion control measures shall be provided for all slopes in excess of 3:1 and rip-rap may be required on all slopes in excess of 2:1, unless otherwise specified by the Board.

§ 255-6.20 Street signs.

Street signs shall be installed at all intersections in conformity with the specifications of the Department of Public Works. Until such time as each street is accepted by the Town as a public way, the sign posts at the intersection of each street with any other street shall have affixed thereto a sign designating such street as a private way. Upon application for acceptance of the streets, the costs for advertising for hearing, for data collection in support of the street acceptance, for permanent signs and for any other costs related to the acceptance of the street shall be paid by the applicant.

§ 255-6.21 Street lighting.

Provisions shall be made for street lighting connections at locations determined by the Board.

§ 255-6.22 Reservation of land for public purpose.

A. No rule or regulation shall require, and no Planning Board shall impose, as a condition for the approval of a plan of a subdivision, that any of the land within said subdivision be dedicated to the public use, or conveyed or released to the commonwealth or to the county, Town or town in which the subdivision is located, for use as a public way, public park or playground, or for any other public purpose, without just compensation to the owner thereof.

B. Before approval of a plan by a Planning Board, said Board shall also in proper cases require the plan to show a park or parks suitably located for playground or recreation purposes or for providing light and air and not unreasonable in area in relation to the area of the land being subdivided and the prospective uses of such land; and, if so determined, said Board shall, by appropriate endorsement on the plan, require that no building may be erected on such park or parks for a period of not more than three years without its approval.

§ 255-6.23 Grading.

The final grading shown on any approved Form C plan shall not be amended or changed without prior review and approval of the Board except as may be deemed minor by the Board's staff as defined in § 255-5.15F. In reviewing proposed amendments or changes, the Board shall consider the impact of such amendments or changes upon the subdivision as:

A. Changes in the direction of stormwater;

B. Changes in velocities of runoff;

C. Impacts on abutting properties;

D. Impacts on street drainage systems;

E. Impacts on natural drainage channels, watercourses or streams.

§ 255-6.24 Slopes.

Lot slope requirements in the residential zoning districts shall be as follows:

A. The slope of land at any point, stated as a percentage, shall be defined as the change in elevation over a horizontal distance measured perpendicular to the contours divided by the distance over which the change occurs multiplied by 100.

Slope = (Change in elevation/horizontal distance measured perpendicular to contours) x 100

B. All natural slopes exceeding 25% over a horizontal distance of 10 feet as measured perpendicular to the contour are protected and shall remain in their natural state.

C. All cut-and-fill slopes within or contiguous to the street right-of-way shall be planted with suitable, well-rooted, low-growing plant materials or grass as determined by the Board, with advice from the Board's designee. A wood chip or comparable mulch shall be used with ground cover plants to minimize erosion. Planting of sod may be required.