(A) Intent and purpose. The objective of this procedure is to provide an opportunity for the applicant (subdivider) and appropriate city committees to confer regarding the concept and basic elements of the proposed development. This procedure is intended to provide the foundation for a clear understanding and line of communication between the applicant and the city concerning the applicant’s development proposals and the city’s subdivision development regulations and further serve to conserve time, effort and expense. By allowing the applicant an early opportunity to gain the city’s input into the proposed development, this procedure should facilitate and expedite the formal subdivision review and approval process.
(B) Discussion of requirements. Prior to preparing and submitting the sketch plat for a subdivision, the applicant shall review the city’s applicable codes and ordinances to determine the specific procedures and steps to prepare and submit a subdivision plat and plans for approval. The Comprehensive Plan of the city shall be reviewed by the subdivider to determine how his or her proposed plat will compliment the plan and development guidelines and policies. Requirements as to the general layout of streets and for reservations of land, street improvements, storm water drainage, water and sanitary sewer, community facilities and relationship to other developments in the immediate area shall be discussed and determined.
(C) Application procedure and plat requirements. Prior to preliminary plat submittal, an owner of the land, the developer or his or her representative shall file an application for approval of a sketch plat with the city’s Plan Commission. The application shall be made on forms available from the city’s Economic Development and Planning Department and shall be accompanied by a neat sketch plat (of sufficient scale) with at least the following information:
(1) Site boundaries, size and general description and location;
(2) Approximate subdivision lot boundaries and dimensions;
(3) Proposed layout of streets, lots and other features in relation to existing conditions including, but not limited to, sidewalks and open space, as provided in § 161.022(C) and (L) respectively, of this chapter;
(4) General site topography, U.S.G.S. datum (7.5 ft. quandrangle map acceptable);
(5) Major existing and proposed trees, tree masses and vegetation as well as existing buildings and structures (current aerial image acceptable);
(6) Existing land use of adjacent property;
(7) Existing and proposed zoning of property;
(8) Location and size of existing water lines and sanitary sewers that will serve the proposed project;
(9) Name and address of licensed professional engineer, surveyor that will be used in preparing the preliminary and final plat if known; and
(10) Any existing or proposed common open space and community facilities.
(D) Review procedures and considerations. Upon submission of an application for sketch plat approval, the Plan Commission, at its regular meeting, and in conjunction with appropriate city staff and department heads, shall meet to review and consider approval of the sketch plat before further work on the preliminary plat and engineering plans are initiated. There is no fee for the review and consideration of a sketch plat. The following steps and procedures shall apply.
(1) Upon receipt of an application for sketch plat approval, the Economic Development and Planning Department shall schedule the applicant on the agenda of the next Plan Commission meeting to review and consider the proposed subdivision development. The plat and application must be received by the city no later than two weeks before the Plan Commission meeting in which sketch plat approval is being sought.
(2) The Plan Commission shall consider the sketch plat to determine if the plat and proposed development conforms with the subdivision code and development guidelines and standards set forth. Particular attention should be paid to the width of streets, their relation to the topography of the land, water and fire protection, sewage disposal, drainage, lot sizes and arrangement, the further development of adjoining lands as yet unsubdivided and the requirements of the city’s Master Plan and amendments as adopted.
(3) Comments and recommendations generated as a result of the Plan Commission’s review shall be kept intact and filed along with the preliminary plat and subsequent submissions. Furthermore, the applicant shall be provided with a list of all comments and suggestions regarding the sketch plan and actions necessary to proceed with preparation of the preliminary plat.
(4) Said approval of the sketch plat by the Plan Commission shall constitute support to prepare and submit a preliminary plat.
(5) A preliminary plat will not be reviewed by the Development Review Committee unless a sketch plat is first approved by the Planning Commission.
(1960 Code, § 41-1-3) (Ord. 7128, passed 4-28-2008)