§ 122-311. Standards for site plan and sketch plan review.

Plans shall be reviewed for compliance with the following general standards:

(a)

The applicant is eligible to legally apply, and all required information has been provided.

(b)

The development proposal conforms with all the provisions and requirements, as well as the spirit and intent of this chapter and the master plan. The proposed development will meet all the regulations of the zoning district in which it is located.

(c)

All elements of the site or sketch plan is harmoniously and efficiently organized in relation to the character of the proposed use, the size and type of lot, the size and type of buildings, and the character of the adjoining property. The site shall be so developed as not to impede the normal and orderly development or improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in this chapter.

(d)

With respect to vehicular and pedestrian circulation on the site, including walkways, interior drives, and parking; circulation shall to the extent possible create potential cross-and joint-access to adjacent parcels and the existing block layout. Special attention shall be given to the location, number and spacing of ingress and egress points; general interior circulation including turnaround areas; adequate provisions for delivery of services (trash removal, school buses, mail and parcel delivery); separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; avoidance of building corners next to access drives; identification of addresses; storage of plowed snow; and arrangement of parking areas that are safe and convenient, and insofar as practicable, do not detract from the design of the proposed buildings and structures, neighboring properties, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, access to transit and flow of traffic on adjacent streets. All buildings or groups of buildings shall be so arranged as to permit adequate access by emergency vehicles as required by the city building code.

(e)

Streets are designed in context with the urban form and continue the established pattern of the surrounding area.

(f)

Adequate services and utilities including sanitary sewers shall be available or provided, with sufficient capacity to properly serve the development. Appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that site drainage will not adversely affect adjoining properties or the capacity of the public storm drainage system, or nearby bodies of water. Provisions shall be made to accommodate stormwater and prevent soil erosion. All stormwater management facilities, including but not limited to storm sewers and detention/retention facilities, shall be designed in accordance with the "Rules of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner," together with any special provisions established by the city.

(g)

Natural resources will be protected to the maximum feasible extent. The proposed development will not cause soil erosion or sedimentation problems, and will respect floodways or floodplains on or in the vicinity of the subject property.

(h)

The plan shall provide reasonable visual and sound privacy for all dwelling units on or adjacent to the property. Fences, walks, barriers, and landscaping shall be used, as appropriate, for protection and enhancement of the property. All outdoor storage of materials, loading and unloading areas, and refuse containers shall be screened or located so as not to be a nuisance. Outdoor lighting shall be shielded so as to not adversely affect neighboring properties or traffic on adjacent streets.

(i)

Separate phases of development shall be in logical sequence, and each phase shall stand alone so that no one phase will depend upon a subsequent phase for adequate access, public utility services, drainage, or other improvements.

(j)

Plans shall conform to all applicable requirements of state and federal statutes, including health and pollution laws, fire or explosion hazards, toxic and hazardous materials, fair housing, and barrier-free requirements. Site plan approval may be conditioned on the applicant receiving necessary county, state, or federal permits before a local building permit or occupancy permit is granted.

(k)

An objective of plan review shall be to protect and promote public health, safety, sustainability and general welfare. It is also the intent of plan review to improve the quality of existing developments as they are expanded, contracted, or redeveloped in keeping with sound site development standards of this chapter and the City master plan.