§ 7. Design standards
(a) Relation to adjoining street system. The arrangement of streets in [a] new subdivision shall make provisions for the continuation of the principal existing streets in adjoining areas (or their proper projection where adjoining land is not subdivided), insofar as they may be deemed necessary by the commission for public need. Offset streets should be avoided. The angle of intersection between minor streets and major streets should not vary by more than ten degrees from a right angle. Streets obviously in alignment with existing streets shall bear the names of the existing streets. All proposed street names shall be checked against duplication of other street names, and shall be subject to the approval of the commission. The widths and locations of major streets shall conform to the widths and locations designated on the comprehensive plan.
(b) Specifications. See Exhibit A. (Available for inspection and on file in the office of the city clerk.)
(c) Character of development. The commission shall confer with the subdivider regarding the type and character of development that will be permitted in the subdivision and may agree with the subdivider as to certain minimum restrictions to be placed upon the property. Such regulations shall be intended to protect the character and development of the platted subdivision as well as that of the surrounding development.
Where the subdivision contains sewers, sewage treatment plants, water supply systems, park areas, street trees or other physical facilities necessary or desirable for the welfare of the area and which are of common use or benefit and are not or cannot be satisfactorily maintained by an existing public agency, provision shall be made by trust agreement, made a part of the deed restrictions acceptable to any agency having jurisdiction over the location and improvement of such facilities, for the proper and continuous maintenance and supervision of such facilities.
(d) Dedication for public lands. All proposed subdivisions may be required to dedicate a reasonable area for public use as a park, recreation area, school or other public purpose sites. Such area so dedicated shall be in addition to all dedications for streets and thoroughfares. In determining the area to be so dedicated for public use, the commission shall give due consideration to present and anticipated population density within such subdivision and to the present and future requirement for such public needs. Such area so dedicated for the aforesaid purposes shall not be less than five percent and shall not be more than ten percent of the total land area within the subdivision.
(e) Acquisition of land for public use. In addition to any areas so dedicated according to the provisions of [subsection] (d) above, where a tract of land being subdivided includes lands proposed to be used for parks, schools or other public purposes under the duly adopted comprehensive plan of the city and environs, the subdivider shall not plat such lands as a part of the subdivision's plat; and shall confer with the appropriate public agency to acquire land. If no agreement has been reached upon the acquisition of the area within two years of the date of submission of the final plan, the subdivider may then plat the balance of the area.
(f) Easements along streams. Whenever any stream or important surface drainage course is located in an area which is being subdivided, the subdivider shall provide an adequate easement along each side of the stream for the purpose of drainage course.
(g) Corner lots. Corner lots shall have extra width to permit appropriate building setback from both streets or orientation to both streets. Lots abutting a pedestrian midblock crosswalk shall be treated as corner lots.
(h) Floodplain or uninhabitable area. Lands subject to flooding or otherwise deemed by the planning and zoning commission to be uninhabitable shall not be platted for residential purposes, or for uses that may in the judgment of the planning commission increase the danger to health, life, or property or increase the flood hazard. Such land within a subdivision shall be set aside for other uses, such as parks or other open space.
(i) Lot frontage. All lots shall front upon a publicly dedicated street. Variances may be permitted for approved large scale residential development.
(j) Planting strips. Planting strips may be required to be placed next to incompatible features such as highways, railroads, commercial or industrial uses to screen the view from residential properties. Such screens shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide, and shall not be a part of the normal roadway right-of-way or utility easement.
(k) Easements. Utility easements shall be of sufficient width to have at least a ten-foot interval between water and sewer lines. Where practicable, utility lines shall be placed in alleys or easements for same. The subdivider shall properly clear the easement area of tree stumps, roots and rocks and any other obstructions to the placing of utilities.