The purpose of this chapter is to assure the comfort, convenience, safety, health, and welfare of the people, to protect the environment and to promote the development of an economically sound and stable community. To that end, the Planning Board will evaluate proposed subdivisions using the following criteria. The subdivision provisions set forth in this chapter are intended to protect the public health and safety, promote the general welfare of the community, and conserve the environment by assuring that nonresidential and multifamily construction is designed and developed in a manner that assures that adequate provisions are made for traffic safety and access; emergency access; water supply; sewage disposal; management of storm water, erosion, and sedimentation; protection of groundwater; protection of the environment, wildlife habitat, fisheries, and unique natural areas; protection of historic and archaeological resources; minimizing the adverse impacts on adjacent properties; and fitting the project harmoniously into the fabric of the community.