The subdivision design standards set forth in these regulations
are intended to fulfill the requirements of C.G.S. §§ 8-25
and 22a-19 and specifically to assure that land to be subdivided is
of such character that it can be used for building purposes without
danger to health or the public safety; that proper provision is made
for water, drainage, and sewerage and, in areas contiguous to brooks,
rivers, or other bodies of water subject to flooding, that proper
provision is made for protective flood-control measures; that proposed
streets are in harmony with existing or proposed principal thoroughfares
shown in the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development, especially
in regard to safe intersections with such thoroughfares, and are so
arranged and of such width as to provide an adequate and convenient
system for present and prospective traffic needs; that reasonable
provision is made for the creation, maintenance, and preservation
of open spaces; and that the design of any subdivision does not unreasonably
pollute, impair, or destroy, or create an unreasonable risk of polluting,
impairing, or destroying, the public air, water, or other natural
or historic resources of the state.
The standards for the protection of public health shall be as set forth in Article VII of these regulations, titled "Water Supply and Sanitary Waste Disposal."
The standards for the provision of open spaces shall be set forth in Article V of these regulations, titled "Open Space."
The standards for the provision of adequate access and street
systems include those set forth in the Ashford Public Improvement
Specifications, as made part of these regulations. In addition, the
Commission shall apply the following standards:
A.
All streets in a proposed subdivision plan shall be designed to allow
their incorporation into a safe, practical and effective Town street
and highway system.
B.
Street layouts shall be designed with reasonable consideration for
future access to adjoining parcels of land. Culs-de-sac shall be disfavored
if adjoining undeveloped parcels should be more easily and practically
developed by a through road connection and if the use of culs-de-sac
would be likely to require emergency vehicles to traverse a substantially
longer route to reach adjoining properties.
C.
In approving a subdivision application, the Commission may require
the dedication of land along existing Town streets if necessary to
provide the street right-of-way with an adequate width and meet drainage
needs and slope rights requirements.
A.
The Commission may modify a proposed subdivision or resubdivision
plan prior to approval if it deems such modification(s) necessary
to protect specifically identified natural resources, or the Commission
may deny a proposed subdivision or resubdivision if it deems such
denial is necessary to protect specifically identified natural resources,
such as, but not limited to:
(1)
Inland wetlands, watercourses and their riparian zones, in accordance
with the Ashford Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission's report
and/or permit;
(2)
Habitat of rare or endangered plant or animal species;
(3)
Significant stands of mature trees or particularly large or unusual
trees;
(4)
Significant geological features, such as rock outcrops, fault lines
and glacial forms;
(5)
Vista points and ridgelines;
(6)
Floodplains and flood zones;
(7)
High-yielding or potentially high-yielding aquifers;
(8)
Prime farmland or farmland of additional state-wide importance; and
(9)
Abutting open space, parkland and/or protected land.
B.
The Commission may modify or deny any proposed subdivision or resubdivision
based on the Ashford Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency report
as submitted in accordance with C.G.S. § 8-26.
The standards for the protection of historic resources shall include those standards set forth in Article V, § 295-24, of these regulations, titled "Sites of archaeological significance." In addition, the Commission may modify a proposed subdivision or resubdivision plan prior to approval if it deems such modification(s) necessary to protect specifically identified historic resources, or the Commission may deny a proposed subdivision or resubdivision if it deems such denial is necessary to protect specifically identified historic resources, such as, but not limited to:
