This article establishes environmental standards for all subdivisions and development requiring site plan approval.
A. 
Unsuitable land not for development. No land shall be subdivided for development that is held unsuitable for its proposed use by the Planning Commission for reasons of flooding, being located within the 100-year floodplain, inadequate drainage, excessive slope, severe erosion potential, or any other natural features that may be harmful to the health, safety, and welfare of future residents, property owners or the community at large.
B. 
Proposed improvements to unsuitable land. All proposed improvements necessary to make land suitable for development shall be in full compliance with any laws and ordinances regulating such improvements and with any conditions as may be required by the Planning Commission to reduce risks to health and safety. The ability to mitigate an environmental health concern through proposed improvements in no way guarantees that the Planning Commission will approve a project on land that is otherwise unsuitable for its proposed use.
C. 
Deed restrictions required. When a subdivider does not intend to develop the plat himself or herself and the improvements are necessary to reduce hazards and/or to make land suitable for development, the Planning Commission shall require appropriate deed restrictions to be inserted on every deed and noted on every recorded plat and parcel.
A. 
Buffer required. A 300-foot vegetative buffer from all perennial streams shall be required for all development.
B. 
Expanded buffer may be required. The perennial stream buffer shall be expanded to include contiguous 100-year floodplain and nontidal wetlands, hydric soils, highly erodible soils, and soils on slopes greater than 15% that are contiguous with the perennial stream.
C. 
Modification of buffer. In the review of a site plan or subdivision plat, the Planning Commission may modify this buffer requirement, provided it be not less than 100 feet, if it establishes written finding of fact that:
(1) 
The design, construction and use of the entire site with less than a 300-foot buffer will provide the same or greater protection of water quality as the 300-foot buffer, and the development proposal provides heightened measures to minimize the runoff of stormwater from the site and to minimize impervious surfaces and the removal of natural vegetation within 300 feet of the stream;
(2) 
It is the development of a planned public street that has necessitated an incursion into the buffer and evidence is provided that disturbance will be minimized in so far as possible; or
(3) 
Other public or community facilities are required and evidence is provided that disturbance will be minimized in so far as possible.
A. 
Buffer required. A fifty-foot vegetative buffer from all intermittent streams shall be required for all development.
B. 
Expanded buffer may be required. The intermittent stream buffer shall be expanded to include contiguous 100-year floodplain and nontidal wetlands, hydric soils, highly erodible soils, and soils on slopes greater than 15% that are contiguous with the stream.
C. 
Modification. In the review of a site plan or subdivision plat, the Planning Commission may modify this buffer requirement, provided the buffer is not less than 25 feet, if it establishes written finding of fact that:
(1) 
The development proposal provides heightened measures to minimize the runoff of stormwater from the site and to minimize impervious surfaces and the removal of natural vegetation within 50 feet of the stream;
(2) 
It is the development of a planned public street or other infrastructure that has necessitated an incursion into the buffer and evidence is provided that disturbance will be minimized in so far as possible; or
(3) 
It is the development of other necessary public or community facilities that has necessitated an incursion into the buffer and evidence is provided that disturbance will be minimized in so far as possible.
A. 
Buffer required. A fifty-foot setback from all nontidal wetlands shall be required for all development around the extent of the delineated nontidal wetland except as permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Maryland, Department of Natural Resources, Nontidal Wetland Division.
B. 
Expanded buffer may be required. The wetland buffer shall be expanded to include contiguous 100-year floodplain and nontidal wetlands, hydric soils, highly erodible soils, and soils on slopes greater than 15% that are contiguous with the wetland.
C. 
Modification. In the review of a site plan or subdivision plat, the Planning Commission may modify this buffer requirement, provided the buffer is not less than 25 feet, upon establishing written findings of fact that:
(1) 
The development proposal provides heightened measures to minimize the runoff of stormwater from the site and to minimize impervious surfaces and the removal of natural vegetation within 50 feet of the wetland;
(2) 
It is the development of a planned public street or other infrastructure that has necessitated an incursion into the buffer and evidence is provided that disturbance will be minimized in so far as possible; or
(3) 
It is the development of other necessary public or community facilities that has necessitated an incursion into the buffer and evidence is provided that disturbance will be minimized in so far as possible.
A. 
No disturbance of steep slope. No structure, impervious surface or other land disturbance shall occur on any slope with a grade of 15% or greater unless the Zoning Administrator determines that the structure, impervious surface or land disturbance is necessary for stabilization of the slope.
B. 
Buffer. A minimum fifty-foot buffer shall be established between development and the crest of slopes in excess of 25%.
A. 
Forest Conservation Ordinance. The Forest Conservation Ordinance of Cecil County shall be complied with in all respects within the boundaries of the Town of Chesapeake City.
B. 
Landscaping and tree requirements in subdivisions.
(1) 
Existing trees shall be preserved whenever possible. The protection of trees six inches or more in diameter (measured at breast height) shall be given high priority in determining the location for open spaces, structures, underground utilities, walks, and paved areas, Areas in which trees are preserved shall remain at original level and shall remain undisturbed wherever possible.
(2) 
Where extensive natural tree cover and vegetation does not exist, landscaping and the planting of native tree species shall be provided to establish a tree canopy, enhance the appearance of the development, aid erosion control and stormwater runoff management, provide protection from wind and sun, screen and shade streets and paved areas, promote energy conservation of buildings, and enhance the privacy of dwelling units.
(3) 
If available, the Town's street tree planting guidelines shall be followed in all subdivisions.