Chapter 7 Subdivision Regulations Part 3 Standards of Designs for Major Subdivisions

7.3.10 Streets

  1. In or adjoining any major subdivision of land hereafter proposed, access from new lots or a new street connecting an existing street shall not be approved unless the Planning Commission, with input from the Director of Works, determines that the subdivision will be served by an adequate street network. In order to be considered adequate, the street or combination of streets providing most direct means of access to an arterial level street shall have a minimum roadway width of 18 feet of pavement. The Commission may determine, based on input from the Director of Works, that the traffic flow associated with a proposed subdivision will utilize more than one route to one or more arterial streets. As a result of such determination, the Planning Commission may require that more than one route (street or combination of streets) must have a minimum roadway width of 18 feet. In addition to the roadway width, the Planning Commission may require other off-site improvements to correct conditions that would impede the safe flow of traffic associated with the new subdivision. Subdivisions that create no more than five lots of five acres or more each are not subject to the requirements of this paragraph. (Arterial level streets are shown on Core Graphic 10: Roadway Classifications and Projected Corridors). The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to roads that are Designated Roads under the System Development Charges for Roadways Ordinance [insert LMCO citation].
  2. Continuation of existing streets. Subdivisions shall be designed to ensure that existing public and private streets which stub into the subject property can be extended through the subject property. For subdivisions creating any lot that abuts or has access to any proposed stub street extension, right-of-way shall be dedicated sufficient to accommodate the extension of the street, and the street shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of this Land Development Code for constructing public or private roads.

7.3.20 Blocks

All new blocks created by any major subdivision of land hereafter proposed shall conform to the following standards of design:

  1. Pedestrian Access - Sidewalks bisecting non-residential blocks may be required within non-residential blocks where necessary to improve pedestrian circulation by providing more convenient access to schools, parks, shopping, etc., than is possible with sidewalks within the street right-of-way. Such walkways shall have an easement width of at least ten feet.
  2. Mid-block Walkways - When residential blocks are over 800 feet in length, a walkway bisecting the block and dedicated to public use not less than ten feet wide, may be required to provide proper access to schools, playgrounds, shopping centers and other facilities.

7.3.30 Lots

All new lots created by any major subdivision of land hereafter proposed shall conform to the minimum requirements of the applicable zoning regulations and shall also conform to the following standards of design:

  1. Shape of Lots - Pointed or very irregularly shaped lots shall be avoided where possible. Additional depth or landscaping may be required on lots which back up to railroads, major streets, or other conflicting land uses.
  2. Access - All lots for detached houses shall abut a public street.
  3. On Lot Sewage Disposal Systems (Septic Tanks) - Lots that are served by a septic tank or other means of on-lot sewage disposal shall meet the requirements of the Louisville and Jefferson County Department of Health.
  4. Environmentally-Constrained Areas - Subdivisions that contain environmentally-constrained area as defined in Chapter 4 Part 6 Development on Sites with Environmental Constraints, shall be developed in accordance with applicable development standards (See Parts 4.7, 4.8 of the Land Development Code)..
  5. No more than fifteen percent (15%) of a required rear yard of a buildable lot may be occupied by a detention basin or a retention basin or any other drainage easement.

7.3.40 Easements

  1. All easements shall conform to the following standards of design:
    1. Utility Easements – An easement for utilities, at least ten feet wide, may be required along any lot line or across lots whenever necessary to provide for extension of utility lines. (See 5. below for exception for utilities serving urban infill.)
    2. Slope Easements – Whenever a proposed subdivision affects an existing or proposed road in such a way that will necessitate cuts and fills in adjoining property, slope easements on such adjoining property shall be required.
    3. Sewer and Drainage Easement – Whenever necessary, sewer and drainage easements shall be provided in accordance with MSD Design Criteria.
    4. Flood Plain Easement – Whenever necessary, flood plain easement shall be provided in accordance with MSD Design Criteria.
    5. Exception – Major residential subdivisions in the Traditional Neighborhood Form District and having lots that are served by alleys shall provide a common utility easement that parallels the alley and includes periodic extensions of the easement to accommodate transformers and pedestals. The frequency of periodic easement extensions shall be determined by the appropriate utility agency(ies). (See Fig. 7.3.1)

FIGURE 7.3.1 Urban Alley/Utility Corridor

7.3.50 Reservation of Public Areas and Roadways

Where a park, school, playground, or areas for other public uses shall be provided in the subdivision in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, including future roadways shown in the Comprehensive Plan with specific location determined by the Director of Works, such areas shall either be dedicated to the proper public agency or it shall be reserved for acquisition by the appropriate agency within two years of approval of the preliminary plan.

7.3.70 Tree Canopy

All new subdivisions shall indicate the means by which requirements of Part 10.1, Tree Canopy Regulations, shall be met. If existing trees will be used to satisfy the minimum canopy standards, the location shall be shown in relation to areas of site disturbance, including roadways, utility lines, and drainage facilities.