In considering applications for subdivision of land, the Planning Board shall be guided by the standards set forth hereinafter. Said standards shall be considered to be minimum requirements and shall be waived by the Board only under circumstances set forth in Article
V herein.
Reserve strips of land which might be used to control access
from the proposed subdivision to any neighboring property or to any
land within the subdivision itself shall be prohibited.
The Planning Board shall, wherever possible, establish the preservation
of all natural features which add value to residential developments
and to the community, such as large trees or groves, watercourses
and falls, beaches, historic spots, vistas and similar irreplaceable
assets. No tree with a diameter of eight inches or more, as measured
three feet above the base of the trunk, shall be removed unless such
tree is within the right-of-way of a street as shown on the final
subdivision plat. Removal of additional trees shall be subject to
the approval of the Planning Board. In no case, however, shall a tree
with a diameter of eight inches or more, as measured three feet above
the base of the trunk, be removed without prior approval by the Planning
Board.