[Ord. No. Z, eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-51, eff. 9-5-2003]
Notwithstanding the failure of this chapter to specifically provide elsewhere for site plan approval of a particular use, site plan review and approval is required in each of the following instances:
(1) 
A site plan shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval of any use or change of use permitted in the C-1 or C-2 Zoning District.
(2) 
A site plan shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval of any multifamily dwelling in an R-5 Zoning District.
(3) 
A site plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval of any two-family dwelling in an R-4 or R-5 Zoning District. The Zoning Administrator may, in his discretion, refer any such site plan to the Planning Commission for its review and approval.
(4) 
A site plan shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval of any church, public school or private or parochial school, or any public or private recreational facility to be constructed in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, or R-5 Zoning Districts.
(5) 
For any special use and also for any planned unit development, provided that if the requirements for a site plan, as provided in this division, are met by plans and other documentation required in Article III, Division 8 of this chapter, then a separate site plan shall not be required pursuant to this division.
(6) 
When any other section of this chapter requires site plan approval.
[Ord. No. Z, eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-51, eff. 9-5-2003; Ord. No. Z-56, eff. 8-22-2006]
A site plan shall include all of the following information unless the same is not reasonably necessary, as determined by the Planning Commission:
(1) 
A plot plan based on an accurate certified land survey showing:
a. 
Location, size and type of present buildings or structures to be retained or removed.
b. 
Location of all proposed buildings, structures or other improvements.
c. 
Location of existing and proposed streets, private roads, drives and parking lots.
d. 
Location of water and sewer lines.
e. 
Storm drainage.
f. 
Refuse and service areas.
g. 
Utilities with reference to location, availability and compatibility.
h. 
Screening and buffering with reference to type, dimensions and character.
i. 
Topographical features, including contour intervals no greater than five feet.
j. 
Ditches and watercourses.
k. 
Ground cover and other pertinent physical features of the site, including, but not limited to existing vegetation, trees, etc.
l. 
Proposed landscaping.
m. 
Location of existing improvements.
n. 
Location of lot lines.
o. 
Loading and unloading of facilities.
p. 
Exterior lighting and signs.
q. 
Location of existing structures on land immediately adjacent to the site within 100 feet of the site's parcel lines.
r. 
The date, north arrow, and scale. The scale shall not be less than one inch equals 50 feet if the subject property is less than three acres and one inch equals 100 feet if the subject property is three acres or more.
s. 
The name and address of the professional individual, if any, responsible for the preparation of the site plan.
(2) 
Preliminary architectural sketches and/or a general statement as to the type of construction and materials to be used in the proposed buildings or structures. Height and area of buildings and structures shall be provided. The height of buildings and structures shall be detailed from the existing grade (and proposed grade if there is to be any change in the grade), as well as from the crown of the street and/or private road adjoining the property upon which the building or structure will be erected.
(3) 
The period of time within which the project will be completed.
(4) 
Proposed staging of the project, if any.
(5) 
Gross areas of buildings and parking.
(6) 
Delineation of the one-hundred-year floodplain and any proposed uses therein.
(7) 
A description of all aspects of such plan that might have an adverse effect on public health, safety and welfare.
(8) 
Current proof of ownership of the land to be utilized or evidence of a contractual ability to acquire such land such as an option or purchase contract.
(9) 
Method of financing and commitments, or other proof of ability to obtain financing.
(10) 
Additional information which the body or official reviewing and approving the site plan may request which is reasonably necessary to evaluate the site plan.
The body or official review the site plan shall have the discretion to waive the inclusion in the site plan of any of the information referenced in this section.
[Ord. No. Z, eff. 2-7-1974; amended by Ord. No. Z-14, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. 2018-1, eff. 3-23-2018]
In addition to any standards or requirements specified in other sections of this chapter which are relevant to the project for which site plan approval is sought, the following standards shall be considered in reviewing and approving site plans:
(1) 
The applicant may legally apply for site plan review.
(2) 
All required information has been provided.
(3) 
The proposed development conforms to all regulations of the zoning district in which it is located.
(4) 
The adequacy of streets, alleys, parking areas, loading zones, sidewalks, drainage, water and sewer lines, and traffic control for the proposed use, building, or structure.
(5) 
The adequacy of protection afforded lands and the surrounding neighborhood from adverse impact.
(6) 
All elements of the site plan shall be harmoniously and efficiently organized in relation to topography, the size and type of the lot, the character of adjoining property, and the type and size of buildings. The site shall be so developed as not to impede the normal and orderly development or improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in this chapter.
(7) 
The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practical, by minimizing tree and soil removal, and by topographic modifications which result in maximum harmony with adjacent areas.
(8) 
Natural resources will be preserved to and protected to the maximum feasible extent, and organic, wet, or other soils which are not suitable for development will be undisturbed or will be modified in an acceptable manner.
(9) 
The proposed development will not cause soil erosion or sedimentation problems.
(10) 
The drainage plan for the proposed development is adequate to handle anticipated stormwater runoff and will not cause undue runoff onto neighboring property or overloading of watercourses in the area.
(11) 
The proposed development properly respects floodways and floodplains on or in the vicinity of the subject property.
(12) 
The plan meets the specifications of Park Township for water supply, sewage disposal or treatment, storm drainage, and other public facilities.
(13) 
With respect to vehicular and pedestrian circulation on the site, including walkways, interior drives, and parking; special attention shall be given to the location, number and spacing of access points; general interior circulation; separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and the arrangement of parking areas that are safe and convenient and, insofar as practicable, do not detract from the design of the proposed buildings and structures, neighboring properties and flow of traffic on adjacent streets.
(14) 
All buildings or groups of buildings shall be so arranged as to permit emergency vehicle access by some practical means as required by the Township Fire Department.
(15) 
The site plan shall provide reasonable, visual, and sound privacy for all dwelling units located therein. Fences, walls, barriers, and landscaping shall be used, as appropriate, for the protection and enhancement of property and for the privacy of its occupants.
(16) 
All loading and unloading areas and outside storage of materials which face or are visible from residential districts or public thoroughfares shall be screened by a vertical screen consisting of structural or plant materials. Also, outdoor storage of garbage and refuse shall be contained, screened from view, and located so as not to be a nuisance to the subject property or neighboring properties.
(17) 
All lighting shall meet the requirements of Section 38-488(b) and be shielded from any public right-of-way.
(18) 
Phases of development are in logical sequence so that any phase will not depend upon a subsequent phase for adequate access, public utility services, drainage, or erosion control.
(19) 
Site plans shall conform to all applicable requirements of state and federal statutes, and approval may be conditioned on the applicant receiving necessary state and federal permits before a building permit or occupancy permit is granted.
[Ord. No. Z, eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14, eff. 4-19-1982]
Where a site plan has been approved for any project, and building permit issued shall provide that the development be completed in accordance with the approved site plan and failure to conform with such site plan shall be a violation of this chapter and cause for revocation of the building permit.
[Ord. No. Z, eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14, eff. 4-19-1982]
In approving a site plan, the body or official granting approval may impose and attach such conditions and restrictions and require such improvements as shall be determined to be necessary and/or appropriate.
[Ord. No. Z, eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. 2022-01, eff. 3-31-2022]
To ensure compliance with this chapter and any conditions imposed as part of a zoning approval, the body or official granting approval of a site plan, PUD, condominium development, plat, and special use authorization shall require a performance surety of a cash deposit, certified check, or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of 110% of the construction costs of components covered. Specific improvements and costs to be covered by the performance surety shall be determined by the Township Engineer. The applicant shall prepare an itemized cost for review and acceptance by the Township Engineer prior to any earthmoving operations on the site. The following standards shall govern the Township Engineer's determination on the amount and extent of the performance surety.
(a) 
If the project in question contains infrastructure components that will burden the general public if left in an incomplete condition, a performance surety will be required to guarantee completion of the infrastructure components. Examples of such infrastructure include but are not limited to public roadways, sanitary sewer and water main systems, drainage systems, pathway improvements, site restoration, landscape or other site stabilization measures. A performance surety may be required to ensure completion of a specific infrastructure component by a date certain if specifically identified by the Planning Commission.
(b) 
If an applicant requests building permits or utility connections prior to completing the infrastructure, a performance surety will be required for incomplete or partially completed items. Examples of partially completed items are the final course of asphalt on streets, signage, parking improvements, pavement markings, site restoration, landscape or other site stabilization, site lighting, utility casting adjustments, off-site improvements, testing of utilities, televising of utilities, or other special conditions of utility approval.
(c) 
In the event that a letter of credit is used as the performance surety, the following conditions apply:
(1) 
The letter of credit shall be issued by a bank having an office in Ottawa County and shall allow draws from the office in Ottawa County. The letter of credit shall be in favor of Park Township.
(2) 
The letter of credit scope and completion date shall be approved by the Township. Phase dates may be considered by the Township.
(3) 
The applicant may reasonably request reduction in the letter of credit as agreed upon by the Township; however, the applicant must certify in writing that the work to be removed from the letter of credit has been completed.
[Added by Ord. No. 2018-1, eff. 3-23-2018]
Approval of a final site plan will expire and be of no effect unless a building permit has been issued within one year of the date of the site plan approval. Extensions beyond the expiration date may be permitted by the Planning Commission provided the total extended time does not exceed one year.
[Added by Ord. No. 2018-1, eff. 3-23-2018]
A site plan may be amended upon application and in accordance with the procedures and requirements provided in Section 38-102 herein. Minor changes to a site plan may be made without following the procedures of Section 38-102 at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator. Minor changes include, but are not necessarily limited to, the reorientation of landscaping, modifications to dumpster enclosure materials and/or location, an increase in the number of parking spaces not requiring an alteration to the parking surface, the reduction of the size of any building, or other similar changes of a minor nature proposed to be made to the configuration, design, layout, or topography of the site plan which are deemed by the Zoning Administrator to not adversely affect the initial basis for granting approval. In the event the Zoning Administrator determines a change is major or cannot reasonably conclude that the changes will not adversely affect the initial basis for granting approval, the request for change shall be forwarded to the Planning Commission. The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission may require, in case of minor changes to an approved site plan, that a revised site plan drawing(s) be submitted showing such minor changes for purposes of record.