The first consideration in formulation of a design concept shall be the recognition of those areas of significant or critical value identified on the site analysis map and the methods of preservation or conservation, such as but not limited to reserved areas, scenic easements, large lot easements, trail easements, limited access easements and strategic placement of lot lines.
A. 
Areas having significant scenic, recreational, historic, archaeological or ecological value shall be first considered for preservation as reserved areas.
B. 
Other areas having unusual topographic or natural features shall be considered for protection by means of scenic easements.
C. 
Open spaces shall be used to set aside significant areas and for use as buffers to protect environmentally fragile areas.
D. 
Insofar as possible, open spaces shall be allocated throughout the subdivision so as to make their benefits available to all lot owners.
E. 
Open spaces shall be harmonized with land use patterns in properties adjoining the proposed subdivision, and consideration shall be given to linking the open spaces of adjacent properties or adjacent subdivisions.
F. 
Insofar as possible, open spaces in different parts of the proposed subdivision shall be linked by scenic easements.
G. 
Consideration shall be given to using open spaces to provide a theme for the proposed subdivision, such as preservation, conservation, passive recreation and active recreation.
H. 
Along public roads, residential subdivision plats shall provide reserved area or scenic easement area for at least 10% of the total depth of the subject parcel as a natural buffer from development. The depth of said reserved area or scenic easement shall generally not exceed 100 feet unless other legitimate planning reasons exist for greater reserved area or scenic easement area.
After identification and selection of open space areas and prior to the placement of proposed lot lines, building envelopes shall be selected according to the following criteria:
A. 
Sufficient elevation above groundwater table to permit proper installation of foundations, septic systems and drainage structures.
B. 
Relatively flat terrain, both at the home site and along access drives, requiring a minimum of filling or cutting.
C. 
Availability of solar energy.
D. 
Shelter from prevailing storm and winter winds for ease of heating.
After identification and selection of open spaces and building envelopes, proposed lot lines shall be laid out according to the following criteria:
A. 
Lot lines should bear a reasonable relationship to topographic features and conditions.
B. 
Where slopes, depressions and elevations occur outside open space areas, lot lines shall generally follow such topographic irregularities so as to incorporate such irregularities into required side and rear yards, rather than home sites.
C. 
In general, lots shall be rectangular in shape, somewhat deeper than they are wide.
D. 
Except in the case of the applications pursuant to Chapter 193, Open Space Preservation, each lot shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 255, Zoning, of the Town Code.
[Amended 12-3-1999 by L.L. No. 33-1999]
After identification and selection of open space areas, home sites and proposed lot lines, proposed streets and roads shall be laid out according to the following criteria:
A. 
Proposed grades for streets and lot areas shall bear a logical relationship to the natural topography. It is the policy of the Town of East Hampton to discourage massive regrading where such earthmoving would strip natural ground cover or destroy worthwhile topographic features.
B. 
All streets and common driveways shall be laid out and constructed in accordance with the Standard Details sheets and specifications contained in Article XIV and XIX of this chapter[1] and shall be suitably located, related to the topography, adequately constructed to accommodate the prospective traffic, afford access of emergency equipment, snow removal and other road maintenance equipment and shall be coordinated to compose a convenient system. The Planning Board shall design and lay out roads and common driveways in such a manner as to enhance the rural and aesthetic qualities of the community.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Standard Details are set forth in Part 5, Appendix, of this chapter.
C. 
The arrangement of streets shall be such as to cause no undue hardship to adjoining properties and shall, insofar as possible, provide for the continuation of principal streets into adjoining properties. Streets shall conform to the Town Comprehensive Plan.
D. 
Direct access from individual lots to existing state, county or collector town roads shall not generally be allowed.
E. 
It is the policy of the Planning Board to recommend the acceptance for dedication into the town highway system of all street or road improvements, when they have been completed and maintained in accordance with the specifications con-tained in this chapter.