[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
In reviewing applications for the subdivision of land, the Board shall consider the following general requirements. In all instances, the burden of proof shall be upon the person proposing the subdivision.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
Any proposed subdivision shall be in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Old Town and with the provisions of all pertinent state and local codes and ordinances.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
(a) 
For subdivisions, the subdivider may reserve a minimum of 10% of the gross area of the subdivision as open space. Depending on the size and location of the subdivision, the Board may require the developer to provide up to 10% of his total area for recreation. It is desirable that areas reserved for recreation be at least one acre in size and easily accessible from all lots within the subdivision.
(b) 
Developers shall be encouraged to retain any existing trail system which crosses the property or to reroute the trail system to a suitable portion of the property such that the integrity and continuity of the trail is retained.
(c) 
The Planning Board shall consider the comments of the State Historic Preservation Officer, if any, and may require that significant archaeological or historical sites be preserved to the maximum extent possible during both construction and following completion of the development.
(d) 
Land reserved for park and/or recreational purposes shall be of a character, configuration and location suitable for the particular use intended. A site to be used for active recreation purposes, such as a playground or a playfield, should be relatively level and dry, have a total frontage on one or more streets of at least 200 feet, and have no major dimensions of less than 200 feet. Sites selected primarily for scenic or passive recreation purposes shall have such access as the Board may deem suitable and shall have no less than 25 feet of road frontage. The configuration of such sites shall be deemed adequate by the Board with regard to scenic attributes to be preserved, together with sufficient areas for trails, lookouts, etc., where necessary and appropriate.
(e) 
Where the proposed subdivision is located on a lake, pond, river, saltwater body or stream, a portion of the waterfront area shall be included in reserved land, which shall be a minimum of 200 feet plus 10 additional feet for each unit/lot. This requirement may be waived by a vote of the Planning Board.
(f) 
Ownership shall be clearly indicated for all reservations of park and playground purposes on the final plan and shall be clearly established in a manner satisfactory to the City Attorney so as to ensure the continuation of responsibility for ownership maintenance. The land or a part of it may be deeded to the City of Old Town subject to the approval of the City.
(g) 
The Board may further require that the developer provide space for future municipal uses, in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan or policy statement, giving the City first option on the property.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
The Board shall require that a proposed subdivision design include a landscape plan that will show the preservation of existing trees, the replacement of trees and vegetation, graded contours, streams and the preservation of scenic, historic or environmentally desirable areas. The street and lot layout shall be adapted to the topography. Extensive grading and filling shall be avoided as far as possible.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
All points of access from the subdivision onto existing or proposed public or private roads shall be so designed in profile and grading and so located as to provide a minimum sight distance in each direction of 10 feet per each mile per hour of posted speed limit. The measurements shall be from the driver's seat of a vehicle standing on the exit driveway 12 feet behind the curbline or edge of travelway, with the height of eye 3.5 feet to the top of an object 4.25 feet above the pavement.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
Wherever situated, in whole or in part, within 250 feet of the normal high-water mark of any pond, river or other salt or fresh water body, or otherwise as shown on the Official Shoreland Map, the proposed subdivision shall conform to the shoreland zoning provisions for the City of Old Town, Maine.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
Where a subdivision is traversed by a natural watercourse, drainageway, channel or stream, there shall be provided a stormwater easement or drainage right-of-way conforming substantially to the lines of such watercourse of such width as will assure that no flooding occurs and all stormwater can be disposed of properly. Such easement or right-of-way shall be not less than 30 feet in width.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
The calculation of density for all residential subdivisions shall be based on the net residential area or acreage of the parcel as defined herein.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
(a) 
In a new subdivision, only buildable land, as defined in § 18-11, shall be counted for purposes of calculating minimum lot size.
(b) 
Lot configuration and area shall be designed to provide for adequate off-street parking and service facilities based upon the type of development proposed.
(c) 
Lots with multiple frontages shall be avoided wherever possible. When lots do have frontage on two or more roads, vehicular access shall be encouraged to be located only on the less-traveled way.
(d) 
Wherever possible, side lot lines shall be perpendicular to the street.
(e) 
The ratio of lot length to width shall not be more than 4:1. Flag lots are only allowed in zones where they are permitted with approval of the Planning Board as a special exception.
(f) 
Except for an open space subdivision approved by the Board pursuant to this chapter, all lots shall meet the minimum lot size.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
(a) 
The size, type and location of public utilities, such as streetlights, electricity, telephones, fire hydrants, etc., shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Board and this chapter.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
(a) 
Street trees, esplanades, and open green spaces may be required at the discretion of the Planning Board. Where such improvements are required, they shall be incorporated in the final plan and executed by the subdivider as construction of the subdivision progresses.
(b) 
Where a tract is subdivided into lots substantially larger than the minimum size, the Board may require that streets and lots be laid out so as to permit future resubdivision in accordance with the requirements contained in this chapter.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
The following are required improvements: monuments, street signs, streets, landscaping, water supply, sewage disposal and storm drainage, except where the Board may waive or vary such improvements in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
(a) 
When a hydrogeologic assessment is required, the assessment shall contain at least the following information:
(1) 
A map showing the basic soils types.
(2) 
The depth to the water table at representative points throughout the subdivision.
(3) 
Drainage conditions throughout the subdivision.
(4) 
Data on the existing groundwater quality, either from test wells in the subdivision or from existing wells on neighboring properties.
(5) 
An analysis and evaluation of the effect of the subdivision on groundwater resources. In the case of residential developments, the evaluation shall, at a minimum, include a projection of post-development nitrate-nitrogen concentrations at any wells within the subdivision and at the subdivision boundaries. For subdivisions within the watershed of a lake, projections of the subdivision's impact on groundwater phosphate concentrations shall also be provided.
(6) 
A map showing the location of any subsurface wastewater disposal systems and drinking water wells within the subdivision and within 200 feet of the subdivision boundaries.
(b) 
Projections of groundwater quality shall be based on the assumption of drought conditions (assuming 60% of annual average precipitation).
(c) 
No subdivision shall increase any contaminant concentration in the groundwater, at any on-site well or at the subdivision boundary to more than the primary drinking water standards. No subdivision shall increase any contaminant concentration in the groundwater at any on-site well or at the subdivision boundary to more than the secondary drinking water standards.
(d) 
If groundwater contains contaminants in excess of the primary standards, and the subdivision is to be served by on-site groundwater supplies, the applicant shall demonstrate how water quality will be improved or treated.
(e) 
If groundwater contains contaminants in excess of the secondary standards, the subdivision shall not cause the concentration of the parameters in question to exceed 150% of the ambient concentration.
(f) 
Subsurface wastewater disposal systems and drinking water wells shall be constructed as shown on the map submitted with the assessment. If construction standards for drinking water wells are recommended in the assessment, those standards shall be included as a note on the final plan and as restrictions in the deeds to the affected lots.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
For subdivisions located within the watershed of a great pond, phosphorous export from construction and long-term operation shall be equal to or less than that which is calculated using the methodology established by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and described in "Phosphorous Control in Lake Watersheds: A Technical Guide to Evaluating New Development (September, 1992)."