Boston Township

The following principles shall guide the exercise of site plan review by the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals: a. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practical, by minimizing tree and soil removal, and by topographic modifications which result in maximum harmony with adjacent areas. b. Special attention shall be given to proper site drainage so that removal of storm waters will not adversely affect neighboring properties. Storm water runoff from the development should be handled through detention and retention facilities. c. Grading and surface drainage provisions shall be designed to minimize adverse effects on abutting properties, streams and public streets, and to minimize the possibility of erosion. Grading plans may be required to be reviewed by the County Engineer or other registered engineer, with any costs borne by the developer. d. All buildings or groups of buildings shall be so arranged as to permit emergency vehicle access by some practical means to all sides. e. There shall be provided a pedestrian circulation system which is insulated as completely as reasonably possible from the vehicular circulation system. f. All loading and unloading areas and outside storage areas, including areas for the storage of trash, which face or are visible from residential districts or public thoroughfares, shall be screened by a vertical screen consisting of structural or plant materials. g. Screening of parking areas from surrounding properties shall be provided through landscaping and /or ornamental walls or fences to promote harmony with adjacent development and lands. h. Exterior lighting shall be arranged that it is deflected away from adjacent properties and so that it does not impede the vision of traffic along adjacent streets. i. Buildings and open spaces should be in proportion and in scale with existing structures and spaces in the area within three hundred (300) feet of the development site. j. Open spaces should be linked together. k. Natural separation should be preserved or created on the site by careful planning of the streets and clustering of the buildings using natural features and open spaces for separation. l. Short loop streets, cul-de-sacs and residential streets should be used for access to low density residential land uses in order to provide a safer living environment and a stronger sense of neighborhood identity. m. Pedestrian circulation in non-residential areas should be arranged so that off-street parking areas are located within a convenient walking distance of the use being served. Handicapped parking should be located as near as possible to be accessible to the structure. n. Path and sidewalk street crossings should be located where there is a good sight distance along the road, preferably away from sharp bends or sudden changes in grade. o. Parking lots and garages should be located in such a way as to provide safe, convenient ingress and egress. Whenever possible there should be a sharing of curb cuts of more than one facility. Parking areas should be screened and landscaped and traffic islands should be provided to protect circulating vehicles and to break up the monotony of continuously paved areas. p. Drive through establishments such as banks should be located to allow enough automobile waiting space for peak hour operation without interference with other parking lot circulations. q. Parking and loading provisions shall meet the requirements of Chapter 11, Off-Street Parking and Loading. r. All utilities on site shall be located underground. s. Compliance with Environmental Performance Standards per Chapter 1, Section 108.