§ 17-1. Purpose of chapter.

This chapter establishes requirements for the preparation, filing, approval or disapproval of subdivision maps, consistent with the requirements of the Map Act. The purpose of these regulations, and the intent of the city in their adoption, is as follows:

A.

To provide policies, standards, requirements and procedures to regulate and control the design and improvement of all subdivisions within the city;

B.

To assist in implementing the objectives, policies and programs of the general plan by ensuring that all proposed subdivisions, together with the provisions for their design and improvement, are consistent with the general plan and all applicable specific plans of the city;

C.

To preserve and protect, to the maximum extent possible, the unique and valuable natural resources and amenities of the city's environment, including topographic and geologic features, open space lands, stream recreational areas, fish and wildlife habitats, historical and cultural places, and scenic vistas and attractions; and, to maximize the public's access to and enjoyment of such resources and amenities through the dedication or continuance of applicable easements thereto;

D.

To relate land use intensity and population density to existing development, street capacity and traffic access, the slope of the natural terrain, and the availability of public facilities, utilities and open space;

E.

To provide lots of sufficient size and appropriate design for the purposes for which they are to be used;

F.

To provide streets of adequate capacity and design and to ensure maximum safety for pedestrians and vehicles;

G.

To ensure adequate access to each building site;

H.

To provide sidewalks, and where needed, pedestrian ways, bike paths, and equestrian and hiking trails for the safety, convenience and enjoyment of the residents of new developments;

I.

To provide adequate systems of water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, storm drainage, street lighting, and other utilities needed for the public health, safety and convenience;

J.

To provide adequate sites for public facilities needed to serve the residents of new developments;

K.

To ensure that the costs of providing land for streets, alleys, pedestrian ways, easements, and other rights-of-way, and for the improvements needed to serve new developments, are the responsibility of the subdivider;

L.

To prevent land which is actually or potentially dangerous by reason of flood hazard, inundation, proximity to excessive noise, inadequate access, inadequate water supply or fire protection, insufficient sewerage facilities, hazardous geological conditions, or critical soil conditions from being subdivided for any use or in any manner tending to create an increased detriment to the public health, safety or welfare;

M.

To ensure that, insofar as possible, land is subdivided in a manner that will promote the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare in conformance with the general plan;

N.

To reduce the hardships on tenants displaced when multi-residential buildings are converted to condominium projects and to protect the purchasers of dwelling units in such condominium projects.

(Ord. No. 449, § 1, 7-21-2009)