This chapter shall be known, referred to, and
cited as the "Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance of Kent County,
Delaware."
A.
The Levy Court, by authority of Chapter 48, Title
9, Delaware Code, hereby adopts the following regulations governing
the subdivision and development of land located within the unincorporated
areas of Kent County.
B.
These regulations, adopted under the foregoing authority,
shall become effective pursuant to Section 4 of the ordinance, and
shall remain in effect until modified, amended, or rescinded by the
Levy Court.
This chapter is enacted for purposes which are
to provide for and accomplish the following:
A.
To guide and coordinate the harmonious development
of the unincorporated area of Kent County;
B.
To preserve, in accordance with present and future
needs, the health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, and general
welfare of the citizens of the County;
C.
To ensure that the arrangement and design of subdivisions and land developments conform to the Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 205, Zoning, the Delaware Code, and all other ordinances, codes, regulations, plans and maps adopted in furtherance thereof;
D.
To assure sites suitable for building purposes and
human habitation and use;
E.
To provide adequate open spaces for recreation, light,
and air;
F.
To minimize any adverse impacts of land use and whenever
possible produce positive environmental outcomes;
G.
To provide for convenient distribution of population
and traffic;
H.
To facilitate and accommodate prospective pedestrian
and vehicular movement, fire protection, and the rendition of other
essential services through a coordinated system and design of streets;
I.
To ensure the coordination and conformity of subdivision
and/or land development plans with the public improvement plans of
the County regarding such facilities as streets, sewers, and other
facilities and improvements;
J.
To establish conservation design as a tool to help
protect interconnected networks of open space, and to help establish
buffers along boundaries with scenic roadways, existing protected
land, and active farmland;
K.
To establish a uniform and equitable procedure for
the review and processing of subdivision and/or land development plans;
L.
To establish standards to ensure that developments
are environmentally sound by requiring preservation of existing natural
features, including groundwater recharge areas, wellhead protection
areas, wetlands, riparian corridors, and watersheds to the greatest
possible extent in areas affected through excavation, construction,
or other land development activities;
M.
To minimize or avoid any adverse environmental impacts
associated with the degradation of waters throughout the County and
be consistent with all provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act and
the State of Delaware's Tidal Wetland Act;
N.
To establish minimum standards for the design and
construction of improvements which aid in the use and enjoyment of
land, such as streets, sidewalks, adequate drainage and water and
sewage facilities, and which would aid in precluding adverse environmental
effects, such as sedimentation, soil erosion, flooding, and water
pollution; and
O.
To establish standards for the administration of this
chapter.
