(A) Prior to the preparation of a plat, the subdividers or owners shall meet with local officials, with the planning staff and City Engineer in order to be made fully aware of all applicable ordinances, regulations and plans in the area to be subdivided. At this time, the subdivider should submit a general sketch plan of the proposed subdivision to the Planning Commission and the relevant subcommittees. The sketch plan can be presented in the form as to show that consideration has been given to the neighboring subdivisions, adjacent land and to the topography of the site. The subdivider is urged to avail himself of the advice and assistance of the City Administrator, planning consultant and other advisors in order to save time and effort and facilitate the approval of the plat.
(B) Upon agreement in concept of the sketch plan by the Planning Commission, the subdivider may prepare a preliminary plat for the area to be subdivided.
(C) The preliminary plat is a very detailed drawing showing the proposed development and necessary information. It contains more details than is required on the sketch plan and serves as the basis for the public hearing. It also serves as the master plan for a development where subdividing a piece of land is carried out step-by-step, by a series of plats, where the first plat which is approved and recorded may be only part of the total plan and may later be followed by other plats, all in conformity with the overall plan.
(D) After the preliminary plat is approved, the subdivider will have his or her surveyor prepare a final plat covering all or part of the land to be subdivided. The final plat is a legal document designed primarily to record in the county offices the exact boundaries and location of parcels of land. Before the city will approve the plat, it will usually require the subdivider to agree to do certain things, such as pave streets. The city will make sure that all matters are agreed to by the subdivider, and are covered as necessary by written contract, and by bond, before the plat is approved.
(Prior Code, § 12-1253) (Res. 1997-16, passed 6-17-1997)