The Department shall review subdivision plans against the following design standards. The purpose is to evaluate the design—more specifically, the manner in which uses, lots, drainage, and roads relate to the site and adjoining land. The purpose is not to review or modify the proposed use or intensity; these requirements shall be in accordance with the district in which the development is proposed. The Department may require that design modifications be made. The plan review standards are:

A.

Facilitate the conformance of subdivision plans with the public improvement plans of the County and of its cities and towns, such as the proper provision of open space for recreation and other public use, and the convenient and proper location of sites for future schools, other public buildings, community facilities, shopping and industrial areas.

B.

The subdivision plan shall protect the site's natural resources as provided by this Code, with highest quality resource areas having the highest preservation priority. In addition to meeting minimum Code requirements, plans shall reflect sensitivity to such ecological factors as: preservation of vegetation including protecting existing trees from destruction, minimizing of cut-and-fill operations, avoidance of erosion and consequent siltation of streams and drainageways, and other pertinent conservation measures.

C.

The subdivision plan shall provide for well-proportioned and oriented lots that relate properly to roads and open space. An awkward and irrational pattern of lots and individual lot shapes is to be avoided. No remnants or landlocked spaces without access to the vehicular/pedestrian circulation system will ultimately remain.

D.

The plan shall promote the best design for the use of the property in relation to the development's function and adjoining portions of the neighborhood.

E.

All street and circulation patterns shall provide for the safe, efficient, and convenient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Vehicular travel lanes, pedestrian movement systems, and parking should be separated. Within the context of overall community development, the internal circulation system should promote and encourage the increased use of pedestrian and bicycle movement among residential, local shopping, schools, and other areas. Road connections shall seek to avoid external automobile trips through the employment of superblocks, stub streets, connecting open space, bicycle-pedestrian ways, and other design techniques and devices.

F.

The drainage and utilities shall be efficiently integrated into the design and shall avoid off-site impacts.

G.

The subdivision landscaping layout shall promote the district's qualities and character. Bufferyard landscaping shall be located to achieve the screening objectives and, where possible, enhance open space objectives beyond the minimum requirements.

H.

The standards shall be reviewed to determine if modulations in zoning or infrastructure design would assist in improving the development's quality or preserve natural resources while maintaining density.

I.

The design standards are intended to permit plan modifications to improve design, but not to require site density reduction. The design review shall focus on revising the site plan by altering roads, lots, landscaping, or other plan elements and locations, not by altering development intensity.

(Ord. No. 97-172, § 3(ch. 13, § 20.110), 12-31-1997)