(A) Grading and improvements before plat approval. No person proposing a subdivision shall proceed with any grading and improvements for streets or installation of public utilities until the preliminary plat of the proposed subdivision is approved by the Plan Commission.
(B) Selling or transferring lot or commencing construction before plat approval. No person proposing a subdivision shall sell, agree to sell, transfer, lease, or otherwise convey any lot, parcel, or tract in a subdivision or construct or commence the construction of any building in a subdivision until the final plat of the proposed subdivision is approved by the Commission and recorded in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(C) Advisory meeting. A person desiring approval of a plat of a subdivision may appear before the Plan Commission to discuss his or her proposal before filing an application for preliminary plat approval. No fee or formal application is required for this meeting. Its purpose is to save the subdivider time and money. The subdivider should be prepared to discuss the details of his or her proposed subdivision, including such items as the proposed use, existing features of the area, existing covenants, land characteristics, availability of community facilities and utilities, size of development, play areas or public areas proposed protective covenants, and proposed utilities and street improvements. The subdivider may submit a sketch plan as outlined in § 153.21(B).
(D) Preliminary plat. After the advisory meeting, the subdivider shall submit an application for approval of a preliminary plat to the Plan Commission.
(1) The application shall be accompanied by the following:
(b) A certified check or money order, in an amount, with a minimum total charge to cover the cost of checking and verifying the proposed plat, based on current state-approved amounts and/or as set by City Council from time to time.
(2) The Plan Commission shall review the application and give it tentative approval or return the application to the subdivider with reasons for disapproval. If tentatively approved, the Commission shall send one copy of each of the maps and data sheets submitted with the application to the Engineer.
(3) Upon receipt of recommendations from the Engineer, if the same has been received within a period of 30 days of such transmittal or such reasonable further time as may be requested by the Engineer, the Commission shall set a date for a hearing, notify the applicant in writing, and notify by general publication or otherwise any person or governmental unit having a probable interest in the proposed plat.
(4) After the hearing, the Commission shall approve the plat proposed in application, subject to receipt of an acceptable final plat as set forth in § 153.21(D), or shall conditionally approve or disapprove the plat, setting forth its reasons and providing the subdivider with a copy. If the plat is disapproved, the subdivider shall submit a new preliminary plat.
(E) Final plat. After preliminary plat approval is obtained, the subdivider shall submit a final plat to the Plan Commission as set forth in § 153.21(D).
(1) The final plat shall be accompanied by:
(a) Three black or blue line prints and one reproducible print of the plat; and
(b) A certificate that all improvements required herein and all other applicable city and county codes and ordinances have been installed in strict accordance with the standards of construction of the city and county or a guarantee that the improvements will subsequently be installed by the owner in the form of a bond or deposit of funds or securities in escrow that will cover the cost of the improvements as estimated by the Engineer and approved by the Commission.
(2) If the Plan Commission finds that the final plat is in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter, they shall affix the Commission’s seal upon the plat and the President and Secretary or other authorized members shall endorse the plat and return it to the subdivider. If disapproved, the President shall attach to the original tracing of the final plan a statement of the reasons for such action and return it to the subdivider.
(F) Recording. The subdivider shall present a copy of the approved final plat to the County Recorder. Unless the plat is duly recorded within 90 days from the date of final plat approval, the Commission’s approval of the plat shall expire and shall be of no effect until subsequently reinstated.
(Prior Code, § 151.08) (Ord. 908, passed 9-15-1969) Penalty, see § 153.99