Caroline County, MD Article VII Adequate Public Facilities

§ 162-38 General regulations.

[Amended 12-12-1989 by Ord. No. 89-009]

A. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the provisions of this Article shall apply to all subdivisions and Planned Developments.

B. The Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator shall review all subdivisions to determine whether existing or planned public facilities are adequate to serve the needs of the subdivision. If the Planning Commission determines that adequate public facilities do not exist, it may deny preliminary plat approval. The Zoning Administrator may deny minor subdivision plat approval upon a determination that adequate public facilities do not exist.

C. Public facilities which may be considered by the Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator under this Article include but shall not be limited to roads, drainage, schools, emergency services and solid waste collection and disposal.

§ 162-39 Road access.

A. All subdivisions shall have access from a County road or state highway adequate to meet existing and projected traffic loads. Off-site road access shall not be hazardous or unsafe by virtue of inadequate sight distances, width, vertical alignment, horizontal alignment, drainage, surfacing, grades or cross section. Any County road paved after March 18, 1980 on less than a fifty-foot right-of-way shall be inadequate to provide access to a major subdivision, rural major subdivision or planned development.

[Amended 12-14-1999 by Ord. No. 99-003]

B. Where access to a major subdivision, rural major subdivision or Planned Development is from an unpaved or otherwise inadequate County road, no preliminary plat shall be approved unless and until the road is paved or improved by the County Roads Board to eliminate the inadequate condition.

[Amended 12-12-1989 by Ord. No. 89-009]

§ 162-40 Drainage outlets.

A. All subdivisions shall have a drainage outlet adequate in size and grade to efficiently remove stormwater and provide drainage for roads and all lots.

B. The County Engineer shall advise the Planning Commission as to whether an adequate drainage outlet exists.

§ 162-41 Schools.

A. Schools serving the area in which the subdivision is located shall have adequate capacity to meet the educational needs of the residents of the subdivision.

B. The Caroline County Board of Education shall be consulted regarding the adequacy of school facilities.

§ 162-42 Fire protection facilities.

A. Fire protection services and facilities for the area in which the subdivision is located shall be adequate to protect the lives and property of the residents of the subdivision.

B. Where it deems necessary, the Planning Commission shall request an evaluation from the appropriate authority as to the adequacy of the fire protection services and facilities.

§ 162-43 Solid waste collection facilities.

A. Solid waste collection facilities serving the area in which the subdivision is located shall be adequate to handle the additional waste generated by the residents of the subdivision.

B. If solid waste collection facilities are determined to be inadequate, the Planning Commission may require the subdivider to provide the necessary facilities or to arrange for private collection services.[1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Article VIII, Transfer of Subdivision Development Rights, added 12-12-1989 by Ord. No. 89-009, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 3-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-001. For current provisions, see Ch. 175, Zoning.