Subd. 1. Pre-Application Meeting. Prior to submitting a preliminary plat application (following a concept plan review, if one occurs), the property owner/applicant shall meet with the city staff to discuss the preliminary plat application. Through this meeting, the Zoning Administrator may summarize the city’s concept plan review comments and offer suggestions pertaining to additional information or design changes that may assist in expediting the preliminary plat review.
Subd. 2. The applicant shall submit to the city a complete application and all other information required according to the deadline and meeting schedule established by the city. The application shall address the informational requirements of subsection 1105.02 and any issues identified through the concept plan review procedure.
Subd. 3. The Zoning Administrator, upon receipt of the application, shall notify the applicant in writing within 15 city business days if the application is found to be incomplete.
Subd. 4. The Zoning Administrator shall refer copies of the preliminary plat to other staff, committees, consultants, or agencies as appropriate.
Subd. 5. A preliminary plat abutting upon any existing or proposed trunk highway, county road or highway, or county state-aid highway shall be subject to review of the State Department of Transportation and/or County Highway Department. Written notice and a copy of the proposed preliminary plat shall be sent to the State Department of Transportation and/or County Highway Department for review and comment. Final action on a preliminary plat shall not be taken until the minimum 30-day review period has elapsed.
Subd. 6. Preliminary plats located within a Shoreland District or Floodplain District shall be subject to review of the State Department of Natural Resources. Written notice and a copy of the proposed preliminary plat shall be sent to the State Department of Natural Resources at least ten days prior to the public hearing.
Subd. 7. Upon receipt of a complete application, the Zoning Administrator shall prepare a report and refer the application to the Planning Commission, as well as the City Council.
Subd. 8. The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed preliminary plat. Notice of the public hearing shall be published in the official newspaper designated by the City Council at least ten days prior to the hearing. The city shall mail written notification of the proposed preliminary plat to property owners located within 500 feet of the subject site. Timing of the mailed notice shall be the same as that for the published notice. The failure to give mailed notice to individual property owners or defects in the notice shall not invalidate the proceedings, provided a bona fide attempt to comply has been made.
Subd. 9. The Planning Commission shall take public testimony at the public hearing and evaluate the requested preliminary plat against the premature subdivision criteria of subsection 1101.08, the performance standards of this chapter, the performance standards of the city ordinance, and other city requirements. The Planning Commission shall make findings and offer a recommendation for either preliminary plat approval or denial. The Planning Commission may offer a recommendation of approval with conditions necessary to satisfy city regulations.
Subd. 10. The Zoning Administrator shall prepare a staff report of the findings and recommendations of the Planning Commission. The findings may include specific conditions of approval or findings related to denial of the plat.
Subd. 11. The City Council shall take action on the application within 120 days following delivery of a complete application in accordance with the regulations of this chapter, unless an extension is agreed to in writing by the applicant. The City Council may act on the preliminary plat if it does not receive a recommendation from the Planning Commission within 60 days of receipt of a complete application. If it approves the preliminary plat, the City Council may impose conditions it considers necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
Subd. 12. The City Council shall take action on the application which shall include findings of fact, and shall be entered in the proceedings of the City Council and transmitted to the applicant in writing. The lack of a simple majority Council vote to affirmatively approve a preliminary plat shall be a denial of the requested application.
Subd. 13. Subject to the approval of the City Engineer, grading of the site included in the preliminary plat may occur after approval of the preliminary plat and the approval and recording of a development contract, payment of fees, and posting of required securities with the city.