§ 22-79. Subdivision design.

(a)

Lot Dimensions. All new lots in a subdivision shall conform to the following requirements:

(1)

Lot Area.

a.

All lots in a new subdivision shall conform to the zoning requirements of the zoning district in which the subdivision is located. Conformance to zoning requirements means, among other things that the smallest lot in the subdivision must meet all dimensional requirements of chapter 21, article IV of the Rowan County Zoning Ordinance.

b.

1.

Lot sizes may be increased on the recommendation of the Rowan County Health Department based on the assessment of soil application rates and subsoil conditions.

2.

Lots regulated by this chapter that are neither intended nor considered to be utilized for building sites or development may serve the purpose of a utility lot for nonresidential purposes only. Said lots may have access as provided in Section 22-79(d).

3.

Any lot served by a septic tank system shall be large enough to accommodate both a septic tank, its drainage field, plus a reserve drainage area.

c.

In determining the lot area requirements, the following shall not be included:

1.

Any deeded road or easement right-of-way

2.

Any dedicated road right-of-way

3.

Any road right-of-way to be dedicated

4.

Any road right-of-way claimed by the N.C. Department of Transportation

5.

Any railroad right-of-way

6.

Any area within a floodway or non-encroachment zone according to the Rowan County FIRM and/or FIS.

(2)

Lot Specifications: Minimum specifications for all uses shall comply with the applicable zoning requirements of chapter 21 article IV of the Rowan County Zoning Ordinance.

(3)

Orientation of Lot Lines: Side lot lines shall be substantially at right angles or radial to street lines. Substantially shall be known as a tolerance of plus or minus fifteen (15) degrees of a right angle or a radial line. Double-frontage lots shall be avoided wherever possible. Where side lot lines intersect at the rear of the lot the angle of intersection shall not be less than thirty (30) degrees.

(4)

Lot Depth: Minimum lot depth shall comply with the applicable zoning requirements of chapter 21 article IV of the Rowan County Zoning Ordinance.

(5)

Panhandle lots: Panhandle lots shall not be allowed in subdivisions except when such lots would serve to provide lot access to a body of water, golf course or similar recreation facility. Never shall an entire subdivision or the majority of lots within a subdivision consist of panhandle lots. All panhandle lots shall have a minimum road frontage of thirty-five (35) feet. The length of the panhandle strip in the lot shall not exceed two hundred (200) feet. Said strip shall not be used to determine lot area, lot width or required building setback line.

(6)

Minimum lot depths: All minimum lot dimensions may be increased to meet any applicable requirements of the Rowan County Health Department.

(7)

Waterfront access lot: As recommended policy, where any portion of a subdivision adjoins the Yadkin River or the South Yadkin River and its impounded waters, a waterfront access lot is encouraged to be reserved for use of the residents of the subdivision for all interior lots located within said subdivision which do not front on the water.

(8)

Right-of-way observation: All new lots having frontage on a state or publicly maintained road where no right-of-way is recorded by deed or plat, shall be required to observe a sixty-foot right-of-way, i.e., thirty (30) feet from roadway centerline, unless otherwise suggested in Appendix A. (Appendix A is on file with the county.)

(b)

Utility easements. A utility easement of not less than ten (10) feet in width shall be provided along each side of all side and rear lot lines on either side. These easements may be noted by a statement on the final plat.

(c)

Drainage easements. Where a subdivision is traversed by a stream or a drainage way, an easement shall be provided conforming with the line of such stream and of sufficient width as will be adequate for the purpose.

(d)

Access easements for utilities. An access easement of at least twenty (20) feet in width may be provided to service nonresidential lots whenever no other reasonable alternative exists. Said easement may only be used to serve unmanned utility facilities such as pump/lift stations, telecommunications towers, septic tank drain fields, common areas, etc.

(Ord. of 2-1-99(2); Ord. of 10-18-99(3); Amend. of 2-20-06(2); Amend. of 6-16-08; Amend. of 11-2-09; Amend. of 9-6-16; Amend. of 2-6-17)