In considering applications for the subdivision of land, the Planning Board shall be guided by the standards set forth herein. Said standards shall be considered minimum requirements and shall be modified by the Board only under circumstances set forth in §
176-21 of this article.
Where the Planning Board finds that strict compliance
with the requirements of this article would cause unusual hardship
or extraordinary difficulties because of the special circumstances
of a particular situation, the Board may modify the requirements of
this article so long as the Board finds that the public interest will
be protected, and that any such modification will be consistent with
the spirit and intent of this chapter, all Town laws and ordinances,
the Comprehensive Development Plan and the Official Map. In permitting
any such modification, the Planning Board shall attach such conditions
as are, in its judgment, necessary to substantially secure the objectives
of the requirement so modified.