A.
Design guidelines. All subdivisions shall be designed, and improvements made by the developer, consistent with the requirements of Article IV, Required Improvements, and shall be designed to do the following:
(1)
Reduce, to the extent possible:
(a)
The volume of cut and fill;
(b)
Area over which existing vegetation will be disturbed, particularly in those areas within 200 feet of a water body, having a slope of more than 15%, or overlying easily eroded soils;
(c)
Number of mature trees removed;
(d)
Extent of waterways altered or relocated;
(e)
Visual prominence of man-made structures or uses not necessary for safety or orientation;
(f)
Erosion and siltation;
(g)
Flood damage;
(h)
Number of driveways exiting onto existing streets;
(i)
Disturbance of important wildlife habitats, outstanding botanical features, and scenic or historic environs.
(3)
The location of proposed streets, parks and open spaces shall be designed so as to minimize the number of probable house sites located within 500 feet of any property valued under the provisions of MGL c. 61A. Where reasonable designs could substantially reduce the proximity of house sites to agricultural land but are not employed, an explanation for failure to do so shall be provided to the Planning Board by the applicant.
C.
Access to subdivisions. A way providing access to any subdivision must be within the Town limits, without requiring municipal service vehicles (including, but not limited to, fire vehicles, police vehicles, plows, school buses, emergency vehicles, and maintenance vehicles) to exit the Town in order to enter the subdivision. Any other access to a subdivision through another town requires certification by that town that the way in question is in accordance with the subdivision rules and regulations of the Planning Board of that town, that any bond posted for construction in that town is adequate, and that the way provides adequate access for police, fire, and emergency vehicles as well as the expected traffic generated by the subdivision. The Planning Board may require, as a condition of approval, written agreements indicating, if applicable, the services to be provided to the subdivision by the adjacent town.
D.
Open spaces.
(1)
Before approval of a plan, the Planning Board may require the plan to show a park or parks suitably located for playground or recreation purposes or for providing light and air. The park or parks shall be of reasonable size, but generally not less than 5% of the area of the land to be subdivided, after considering the location and quality of the land to be set aside. The minimum area acceptable for later public acquisition shall be three acres. The Planning Board may, by appropriate endorsement on the plan, require that no building be erected on such park or parks without the approval of the Planning Board for a period of three years.
(2)
Land designated for park or playground use shall not include wetlands, ledge, or other land unsuitable for recreation purposes.
(3)
Any open space, park, or playground shall provide at least 50 feet of continuous frontage on a street. Pedestrian ways may be required by the Planning Board to provide access from nearby streets on which the open space, park, or playground has no frontage. Such parks or playgrounds may be required to have maintenance provided by covenants and agreements acceptable to the Planning Board, until public acquisition is completed, but in no case longer than three years.
E.
Wetlands protection. The Planning Board may condition its approval of a definitive plan upon the issuance of an order of conditions by the Conservation Commission of the Town, pursuant to the Wetlands Protection Act, MGL c. 131, § 40.
F.
General construction standards.
(1)
All streets, street drains, catch basins, and appurtenances thereto shall be installed without expense to the Town.
(2)
All right-of-way lines, drain lines, and underground municipal services shall be laid out as to line and grade by a registered professional engineer or a registered land surveyor.
(3)
All construction details, materials, methods, and specifications shall conform to the current requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges, Boston, Massachusetts, as supplemented.
(4)
Areas within the subdivision used previously for the extraction of gravel or borrow shall be regraded, loamed, and in sod before final release of the performance guarantee is authorized by the Planning Board. All construction debris, refuse, and other solid waste shall be removed from the site, and all surplus construction material, before final release of the performance guarantee is authorized by the Planning Board.