Rules for designing subdivisions and lots to protect the land

Site.Subdivisions shall be planned, designed and constructed to require the minimum feasible amounts of land coverage, and the minimum feasible disturbance of soil and site by grading, excavation and other land alteration.Subdivisions shall be planned, designed and constructed to avoid probabilities of: erosion; pollution, contamination or siltation of rivers, streams or ocean waters; damage to vegetation; and injury to wildlife and fish habitats.All land alteration, including grading, filling, and excavating done in connection with any subdivision shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Sediment and Erosion Control Ordinance and the constraint districts of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, and standards and regulations established by the Department of Public Works.Preliminary subdivision map approval, final subdivision map approval, and extensions of time to obtain final subdivision map approval shall not be granted when the applicant has outstanding violations of the Sediment and Erosion Control Ordinance adopted on October 8, 2003, and as amended.If preliminary subdivision map approval was obtained by the applicant before the grading violation arose, the preliminary approval shall be automatically suspended.Upon notification from the Department of Public Works that a grading violation has occurred on a parcel that is before the Planning Commission for preliminary subdivision map approval, final subdivision map approval, or extension of time in which to obtain final subdivision approval, the processing of the subdivision application shall be suspended until the grading violation is resolved. At such time, the applicant and reviewing agencies will be notified that the subdivision application has been suspended and that no further action shall be taken until the subdivider resolves the grading violation with the Department of Public Works.Upon resolution of the grading violation, the subdivision application will continue on the same time line as it was on prior to the grading violation.Lots.The dimensions, shape and orientation of all lots shall be consistent with the requirements of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and shall be determined with maximum regard to all natural terrain features, provision of open space, topography, landscaping, road access, off-street parking, circulation, design objectives, recreational potential, plotage advantages, and other relevant features including orientation to prevailing winds, relation of masses of structures to be erected, spaces between future buildings, light and air, setback variations, shadow patterns, and design elements intended to create identity and interest in the development.All building sites should relate useable and open areas suitable to the character and type of buildings contemplated, and to the various requirements of land use with maximum regard to minimum disturbance of the natural grade.The creation of building sites through mass pad grading and successive padding or terracing of building sites is prohibited in the slope district as defined in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and may not be permitted in other areas where a reasonable alternative exists.Buildings, structures, and other improvements or land alterations shall not be located within any flood district or drainage district as established in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, except as provided in the regulations regarding those districts.