These regulations have been prepared and adopted pursuant to
the authority granted in Chapter 126 of the Connecticut General Statutes
of the State of Connecticut, hereinafter referred to as "C.G.S."
[Amended 5-10-2021]
It is the policy of the Ashford Planning and Zoning Commission
to consider land subdivision as part of a plan for the orderly, efficient
and coordinated growth of the Town so as to further the general welfare
and well-being of its people. The Planning and Zoning Commission,
through the application of standards and conditions set forth in these
regulations, the Ashford Zoning Regulations, the Ashford Public Improvement
Specifications and the Plan of Conservation and Development, shall
determine whether to approve, modify and approve, or deny any subdivision
or resubdivision application after applying such standards and conditions
to reasonably protect the rights of individuals, property values,
public health, public safety and public welfare.
The Town of Ashford, through its Planning and Zoning Commission,
shall enforce these Subdivision Regulations to maintain the rural
character of the Town in keeping with the public expression as determined
through the Plan of Conservation and Development process and will
establish appropriate standards for the design and implementation
of subdivisions and the construction of streets and other improvements
and has adopted these regulations to accomplish the following:
A. Provide that the land to be subdivided shall be of such character
that it can be used for building purposes without danger to public
health or safety and not result in soil, water or air pollution, excessive
noise, or other menace.
B. Provide that proper provisions are made for water supply, sewage
disposal, fire protection and other appropriate utility services and
drainage, including the upgrading of any downstream ditch, culvert
or other drainage structure which, through the introduction of additional
drainage due to such subdivision, becomes undersized and creates the
potential for down drainage flooding.
C. Provide that proper provisions are made for the prevention of flooding
through flood-control protective measures in areas contiguous to brooks,
rivers or other bodies of water. Land subject to flooding shall not
be put to any use that will aggravate flood hazard conditions.
D. Ensure that proposed streets are built to the Ashford Public Improvement
Specifications and are in harmony with existing or proposed principal
thoroughfares shown on the Plan of Conservation and Development, as
per C.G.S. § 8-23. This is especially important to maintain
safe intersections with such thoroughfares and provide that such streets
be arranged and of such width to provide an adequate and convenient
system for present and prospective traffic needs.
E. Provide for the creation of open spaces and parks when, and in places,
deemed appropriate and proper by the Commission.
F. Provide that proper provisions are made for soil erosion and sediment
control in accordance with C.G.S. § 22a-329.
G. Provide that solar access and passive solar energy techniques are considered and included in the design of any new subdivision and require applicants for subdivision or resubdivision approval to demonstrate to the Commission that they have incorporated solar access and passive solar energy techniques in the design of the subdivision. See Article
IV, §
295-20.
H. Encourage energy-efficient patterns of development and land use,
the use of solar and other renewable forms of energy, and energy conservation.
I. Provide for the protection of state and federally listed species
and significant natural communities, prime farmland and farmland of
additional statewide importance, and high-yielding and potentially
high-yielding aquifers.
J. Encourage protection of the rural character of Ashford by maintaining
existing stone walls, historical features, scenic views, walking paths,
tree-lined streets, open fields, and active agriculture.
These regulations shall apply to the subdivision and resubdivision
of land, as herein defined, located within the corporate limits of
the Town of Ashford, Connecticut. No subdivision or resubdivision
of land shall be made by any person, firm, or corporation until an
application for such subdivision or resubdivision has been submitted
to and approved by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission and a map
thereof has been endorsed by the Commission and filed by the applicant
in the office of the Ashford Town Clerk.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of these
regulations shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion
of the public health, safety, and general welfare.
The Commission, in reviewing any proposed subdivision or resubdivision,
and the person proposing a subdivision or resubdivision shall follow
the procedures hereinafter specified. The Commission shall not approve
any subdivision or resubdivision unless it conforms to the standards
hereinafter specified or to such other standards approved by the Commission
pursuant to these regulations.
These regulations are not intended to interfere with, abrogate
or annul any other ordinance, rule or regulation, statute or provision
of law. Where any provision of these regulations imposes restrictions
different from those imposed by any other provisions of these regulations
or any other ordinance, rule or regulation, or other provision of
law, whichever provisions are more restrictive or impose higher standards
shall control.