§ 16.25.020. Lots.

A.

Lot Arrangement. The lot arrangement shall be such that there will be no foreseeable difficulties in securing building permits to build on any lot, except those marked "undevelopable" or "not proposed for development," in compliance with the zoning ordinance and the Ogle County department of health regulations, if applicable.

B.

Lot Dimensions. All lots shall abut on a street and each lot must contain a suitable building site. All lots shall be situated such that the buildings' front doors shall face the front yard and street. Lot dimensions, areas and building setback lines within the city shall conform to the requirements of the zoning ordinance. The minimum lot area and lot width of corner lots shall be increased by twenty percent. Additional width or length shall be provided for lots abutting a collector or arterial, a flood hazard area, wetlands, stream or other similar feature. Generally, the depth of a lot shall not exceed three times the lot frontage. Some deviation from this provision may be permissible for topographical, road curvature and drainage purposes, but not for the purpose of splitting a large tract into deeper than normal lots so that the provision of streets for proper access to lots can be avoided. Unusually deep lots or numerous "pipestem" lots (lots with minimal lot frontage adjacent to one another) shall be discouraged in developments.

C.

Side Lot Lines. Side lot lines shall be approximately at right angles to straight streets and approximately on radial lines on curved streets. Some variation from this rule is permissible, but pointed or very irregular lots should be avoided.

D.

Flood Hazard Area. If any portion of a lot falls within the boundaries of a flood hazard area, as identified by the zoning ordinance, FEMA or other duly adopted maps or ordinances, or if a portion of a lot is traversed by an intermittent stream and/or waterway, that portion of such lot shall be protected by a drainage easement and shall be excluded from the buildable area of that lot. When this situation results in the separation of the buildable area of a lot from the street to which it has access, provisions shall be made for the installation of an adequate drainage structure, and its construction shall be provided for as a condition of plat approval.

E.

Critical Soils. If any portion of a lot falls within the boundaries of critical soils as identified by the Soil Standards Manual for Waste Disposal Systems, that portion of such lot shall be designated as restricted for use of septic systems unless evidence can be produced to demonstrate that the soils can be managed by appropriate common engineering practices which would render the soils suitable. Soils removal and replacement and the use of curtain drains are not generally considered a suitable management practice.

F.

Subdividing Land. In subdividing any land for residential purposes, due regard shall be shown for all natural features, such as tree growth, water courses, historic sites and conditions, which, if preserved, will add attractiveness and value to the proposed development.

G.

Reverse Frontage or Double Frontage Lots. Double fronted lots should not be platted, except that where desired along arterial streets, lots may face on an interior minor street and back on such thoroughfares. In that event a planting strip, or planting screen, at least twenty feet in width, shall be provided along the back of the lot. In the event that such reverse frontage is not possible, the developer shall undertake other measures to reduce the number of entrances and exits onto the collector or arterial street, including but not limited to requiring shared driveways and limiting direct access to the street.

H.

Unless authorized in writing by the city engineer, detention areas shall be platted on a single lot within the development and shall be maintained by the developer or homeowner's association.

I.

To the extent that detention areas are placed on a buildable lot, the detention area shall not be included in calculating the back or side yard requirements for the development.

(Ord. 02-13 § 1 (part), 2002).

(Ord. No. 2013-20, §§ 5, 7, 2-5-2014)