ABSTRACT
The stated purpose of the design and improvement standards reflects the tension that exists in drafting equitable standards: striking a balance between requirements that are excessive and those that are inadequate. The former add unnecessary costs to development, but the latter may threaten public safety and welfare. Site design standards consist of the steps that should be followed in designing developments. They are meant to be used both by developers in preparing subdivision and site plans and by planning boards in reviewing and evaluating developments. To ensure that the open space will be usable and have value as an amenity, most ordinances include some level of site-preparation requirements. Landscaping is extremely important for ensuring the quality of a development. Trees, shrubs, and other plantings add greatly to the aesthetic appeal of a community. Landscaping, however, serves a number of functions besides aesthetic ones: it reduces glare, lowers temperature, buffers sounds, removes pollutants from the air, and blocks and diverts winds.
