§ 5-2. General requirements.

5-2-1  Compliance with plans. To insure development of the community in accordance with the general principles set forth in the official plans and maps of the City of Atmore, county and region, the Planning Commission may require that the subdivider reserve open spaces for parks, schools, fire stations, playgrounds, or any other use essential to the welfare of the community. However, no more than ten percent of the total subdivision may be required by donation excluding streets, rights-of-way and easements, provided that the developer is reimbursed by the receiving authority for the equivalent percent of the total development cost. If additional area over the ten percent of a proposed subdivision is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the community, the additional area shall be offered for sale to the city at the fair market value. Such offer shall extend for a period of not less than 90 days from the date of receipt by the City of such written offer.

5-2-2  Layout of plat. A layout shall be made by owner-subdividers of the entire tract indicating the proposed future development. Such layout shall show the proposed street and drainage pattern. It shall be clearly noted on the preliminary plan the improvements the owner proposes to make off-premise pursuant to the development of the subdivision. These improvements shall relate to drainage, utilities, and other improvements necessary to permit development of the subdivision. It shall be also clearly noted on the preliminary plat the improvements the owner proposes to request the City of Atmore to make, if any, relative to off-premise improvements necessary to the development of the subdivision. These improvements shall relate to drainage improvements necessary to carry runoff to a major drainage channel; extension of water mains, sewers, and other improvements.

5-2-3  Trees and natural features. Reasonable requirements for the preservation of outstanding natural features may be specified by the Planning Commission. These include large trees or groves, water courses, exceptional views, and similar irreplaceable assets.

5-2-4  Character of the land. Land which the Planning Commission finds to be unsuitable for subdivision or development due to flooding, improper drainage, steep slopes, rock formations, adverse soil formations or topography, utility easements, or other features which will reasonably be harmful to the safety, health, and general welfare of the present or future inhabitants of the subdivision and/or its surrounding areas, shall not be subdivided or developed unless adequate methods are formulated by the applicant and approved by the Planning Commission, upon recommendation of the City Engineer, to solve the problems created by the unsuitable land conditions. Such land shall be set aside for uses as shall not involve such a danger.

Land within any Floodway District shall not be platted for residential occupancy or building sites. Land outside the floodway but subject to flood may be platted for residential occupancy provided each lot contains a building site that may reasonably lend itself to construction of a minimum floor level of one foot above flood elevation, or for such other uses which will not increase the danger to health, life, and property. Fill may not be used to raise land in the floodway In other areas subject to flood, fill may be used providing the proposed fill does not restrict the flow of water and unduly increase flood heights.

5-2-5  Subdivision name. The proposed name of the subdivision shall not duplicate, or too closely approximate phonetically, the name of any other subdivision in the area covered by these regulations. The Planning Commission shall have final authority to designate the name of the subdivision which shall be determined at Preliminary Plat approval.

5-2-6  Waterbodies and watercourses. If a tract being subdivided contains a water body, or the Planning Commission may approve a plan whereby the ownership of and responsibility for, safe maintenance of the water body is so placed that it will not become a city responsibility.