All major subdivisions must go through both a preliminary approval and final approval process, whether single or multi-phased developments. The procedure for obtaining preliminary plat approval is as follows:
(A) The subdivider/applicant shall submit to the Director of Planning and Development Services, or his or her designated Subdivision Administrator, the following:
(1) A signed and completed application for subdivision review, obtainable through the Subdivision Administrator and/or other Planning and Development Services staff, as well as online when possible. Application shall be deemed complete when the Administrator finds all required information to be provided and the appropriate fee for the subdivision type, as determined by the Administrator, has been paid.
(2) At least three black- or blueline prints of the proposed subdivision prepared in accordance with the requirements of § 91.15. Additional prints may be required when deemed necessary.
(3) Two signed statements describing the proposed use of the land, and a draft, if required by the Subdivision Administrator, of any protective covenants to be applied to the subdivision.
(4) Three copies of any supplemental information, such as contour maps, floodplain maps, and the like, when required by the Subdivision Administrator. Additional copies may be required when deemed necessary.
(5) A digital copy of all black- or blueline prints of the proposed subdivision and all supplemental documents submitted with the application. Copy may be submitted on disc, email or any other method, and in PDF or other format deemed appropriate by the Subdivision Administrator.
(B) At the time of submission of the preliminary plat, the subdivider/applicant shall pay to the Subdivision Administrator, or other designated employee of the Planning and Development Services Department, a filing fee, as provided in the schedule of fees relative to planning and zoning established by ordinance of the City Council.
(C) Upon receipt of a completed application, including proposed subdivision plans and all additional documents, the Subdivision Administrator shall review and may request a report or feedback from any person or agency directly concerned with the proposed development, such as the District Highway Engineer, County Health Department, and the Superintendent of Schools. The reports shall certify compliance with or note deviations from the requirements of this chapter, and include comments on other factors that bear upon the public interest. Such reports shall be provided to the subdivider upon their request. In cases of larger proposed developments, the Subdivision Administrator may require a formal review of the plans by a committee designated to review and report on such plans.
(D) Following receipt of any requested reports, the Subdivision Administrator may prepare recommendations for the subdivider, applicant, Planning Board and other parties associated with the project. The recommendations shall be completed in a reasonable time, and the subdivider shall be granted reasonable time to respond to such recommendations and provide amended plans and other documents at their discretion. Any revisions made to the original preliminary plans and supplementary documents shall be indicated on the new documents and hard copies and digital formats resubmitted to the Administrator. The subdivider may also request a delay in the review by any appointed or staff review board, including the Planning Board. Any delay in time by the subdivider to respond to recommendations or amendments to plans shall not count against the total time provided for the Planning Board's action on the preliminary plan.
(E) Before acting on the preliminary plat, the Planning Board may request reports from any person or agency directly affected by the proposed development. These reports shall certify compliance with, or note deviations from, the approved preliminary plat and the requirements of this chapter.
(F) Planning Board shall conduct an administrative hearing and consider approval, denial or approval with modifications of the preliminary plat in accordance and compliance with city code and other related regulations and general statutes related to subdivisions and development. The decision by the Board shall be made within 60 days of first hearing of a complete application and preliminary plat unless the subdivider/applicant agrees to a longer time period.
(G) Actions of the Planning Board shall be documented by the Subdivision Administrator and staff. Reasons for any required modification or denial of plats shall be communicated to the subdivider/applicant. Any plats denied by Planning Board shall be final. A new application and preliminary plat will be needed for future approval. Any modifications required as part of an approval shall be provided by the subdivider/applicant to the Subdivision Administrator and staff as part of an updated preliminary plat prior to recording of final plat or development.
(H) All approvals shall be indicated on the three prints of the preliminary plat. One print shall be returned to the subdivider, one shall be filed with the City Clerk, and one print shall become a permanent record of the Planning Board, filed with the Subdivision Administrator.
(I) Following the filing of the approved preliminary plat, the Subdivision Administrator shall assist the subdivider/applicant with planning for submission and approval of any necessary detailed civil or engineered plans, determination and acceptance of sureties and the acceptance and recording of final subdivision plat(s).
(J) The preliminary plat shall be valid as approved by Planning Board for two years, except as otherwise provided by state statute. Following this time the approved preliminary plat must be resubmitted as part of a new application and reviewed and approved by the Planning Board again before any final plats may be approved, except as where state statute provides otherwise. Any major amendments or revisions to the approved preliminary plat following action by Planning Board must also be resubmitted and approved.
(‘58 Code, § 14-5) (Am. Ord. 94-20, passed 9- 19-94; Am. Ord. 16-48, passed 11-21-16; Am. Ord. 21-02, passed 1-19-21; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 24-06, passed 2-19-24)