§ 152.29 PRELIMINARY PLAT.
   (A)   Generally.
      (1)   For all subdivisions, the subdivider shall submit the preliminary plat, containing all required information to the Chairperson of the Planning Commission at least 14 days prior to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting or to a meeting specially called by the Chairperson to consider such plat. Five copies of said preliminary plat shall be required; provided, that additional copies may be required by the Subdivision Administrator. A subdivision fee shall be paid to the town prior to submission of the preliminary plat to the Planning Commission and shall be based upon the schedule of fees as adopted by the Board of Commissioners.
      (2)   The subdivision filing fees shall be used by the town to pay for the administrative and consulting engineering expenses involved in reviewing proposed subdivisions.
   (B)   Contents required.
      (1)   The preliminary plat shall be clearly and legibly drawn at a scale of not less than 100 feet to one inch, and shall be drawn on a sheet 18 inches by 24 inches, or 24 inches by 36 inches, or such other size acceptable to the County Register of Deeds.
      (2)   The preliminary plat shall be prepared by a registered land surveyor and shall contain the following information:
         (a)   Subdivision name, subdivider’s name, north arrow, scale (denoted graphically, and numerically), date of plat preparation, location of subdivision (township, county, and state), name, and seal of registered surveyor preparing plat;
         (b)   The boundaries of the tract or portion thereof to be subdivided, with all bearings and distances accurately shown;
         (c)   Property lines and owners’ names of adjoining properties and/or adjoining subdivisions of record;
         (d)   Significant natural features, including wooded areas, marshes, major rock outcrops, lakes or streams, soils information, and other natural features affecting the site, and the 100-year floodplain where applicable;
         (e)   Existing physical features, including buildings, streets, railroads, power lines, drainage ways, sewer and water lines, utility easements, and town limit lines both on or adjacent to the land to be subdivided;
         (f)   Topographic contour lines at five-foot intervals when the area to be subdivided exceeds two acres or has proposed streets which will exceed 800 lineal feet;
         (g)   A sketch vicinity map showing the location of the subdivision in relation to the surrounding area;
         (h)   All proposed lot and street right-of-way lines with approximate dimensions, lot and block numbers, all easements, designation of any dedication or reservations to be made, building setback lines, and proposed use of land if other than single-family residences;
         (i)   Proposed streets showing pavement widths, right-of-ways, curbing (if any), a street profile, proposed street names, and the location of any required street lights;
         (j)   A review of proposed street plan. A letter shall accompany the preliminary plat indicating that street plans have been reviewed in the following manner: prior to preliminary plat approval, street plans for all subdivisions within the town shall be reviewed by the town’s consulting engineer and a recommendation provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners indicating whether the proposed street plans meet the street requirements as specified in § 152.52;
         (k)   Proposed water and sewer system layouts shall show the location of lines, line sizes, approximate location of manholes, pumps, hydrants, force mains, and the connection of the proposed system(s) with the existing system(s). A typical trench section view and relationship to roadway shall be provided for water, sewer, telephone, gas, and electricity;
         (l)   1.   A letter of approval for proposed sanitary sewer and water distribution. Letters of approval shall accompany the preliminary plat indicating that plans for proposed public sewer and water systems have been reviewed and approved by the town Public Works Department, the Metropolitan Sewerage District, and the appropriate state agency (see § 152.55). Water and sewer plans shall be reviewed by the town’s consulting engineer with a recommendation provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners prior to preliminary plat approval; and
            2.   Where individual systems are permitted (see § 152.55), a letter of approval from the County Health Department shall be submitted with the preliminary plat indicating that each lot has adequate land area and soil conditions to accommodate the proposed methods of water supply and sewage disposal.
         (m)   An approved sedimentation control plan shall be submitted with the preliminary plat when there are plans for a land-disturbing activity of one acre or more (see § 152.57). The plan must be reviewed by the town’s consulting engineer with a recommendation provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners prior to preliminary plat approval;
         (n)   Sketch view of proposed, drainage ways, storm sewers, culverts, retaining ponds, or areas where water is to be diverted through grading; and other evidence necessary to assure that the proposed method of drainage will meet the objectives of § 152.56. Drainage provisions must be reviewed by the town’s consulting engineer with a recommendation provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners prior to preliminary plat approval;
         (o)   Proposed location and description of any other improvements, including, but not limited to, pedestrian or bikeways, reserved open space or recreational facilities, commercial areas, or buffer strips; and
         (p)   Total acreage in tract to be subdivided; smallest lot size; total number of lots; lineal feet in streets; and zoning district.
   (C)   Preliminary plat review procedure.
      (1)   (a)   The Planning Commission shall review and shall recommend the Board of Commissioners either approve, approve conditionally, or disapprove each preliminary plat.
         (b)   First consideration of the preliminary plat shall be at the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting or special meeting called by the Chairperson of the Planning Commission that follows at least 14 days after the plat is submitted.
         (c)   The Planning Commission shall take action on the preliminary plat at its first consideration or within 32 days of its first consideration. Should the Planning Commission fail to act on the preliminary plat within the prescribed period, the subdivider may seek preliminary plat approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
      (2)   (a)   Before making final review of the preliminary plat, the Planning Commission may refer copies of the plat and any accompanying material to those public agencies concerned with new development; provided, that failure of the Planning Commission to receive comment shall not delay Planning Commission action on said plat within the prescribed time limit.
         (b)   Said agencies could include, but are not limited to:
            1.   District Highway Engineer;
            2.   County Health Department;
            3.   Superintendent of Schools; and
            4.   The Soil Conservation Service.
      (3)   (a)   If the Planning Commission recommends approval of the preliminary plat, such approval shall be indicated on four copies by the Chairperson or other authorized member of the Planning Commission.
         (b)   One copy shall be transmitted to the Subdivision Administrator, one copy shall be returned to the subdivider, one copy shall be retained by the Planning Commission, and one copy transmitted to the Town Board of Commissioners for its review.
      (4)   (a)   If the Planning Commission recommends disapproval or conditional approval of said plat, the reasons for such action shall be stated in writing and entered in the records of the Planning Commission, and such recommendations shall be attached to four copies of the plat with copies distributed in the same manner as specified in this division (C).
         (b)   If the preliminary plat is disapproved, the subdivider may make changes and submit a revised plat which revision shall be submitted, reviewed and acted upon by the Planning Commission pursuant to this division (C), or the subdivider may seek approval from the Board of Commissioners.
      (5)   (a)   1.   Within 45 days from receiving the Planning Commission recommendation, the Board of Commissioners shall approve, approve conditionally, or disapprove the preliminary plat and the reasons for such action shall be stated in writing and entered in the Board’s minutes.
            2.   If the Board approves the preliminary plat, such approval shall be indicated on four copies by the Subdivision Administrator with one copy transmitted to the subdivider, one copy transmitted to the Planning Commission, and one copy retained by the Subdivision Administrator.
         (b)   1.   If the Board of Commissioners disapproves or approves conditionally the preliminary plat, the reasons for such action or references to conditions shall be stated in writing and attached to four copies of the plat with copies distributed in the same manner as stated above.
               2.   If the plat is disapproved by the Board, the subdivider may make changes but must resubmit the plat for review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and approval by the Board of Commissioners in accordance with the procedures outlined in this division (C).
      (6)   (a)   Approval of the preliminary plat shall be valid for one year unless a written extension is granted by the Board of Commissioners on or before the one-year anniversary of said approval.
         (b)   If the final plat is not submitted for approval within said one-year period, or any period of extension, the said approval of the preliminary plat shall be null and void.
      (7)   Preliminary plat certificates shall be as follows.
         (a)   Recommendation of approval of preliminary plat.
 
   This certifies that the Town Planning Commission recommends approval of the preliminary plat for the _______________________________ subdivision at its meeting on the ______ day of _______, 20____.
 
      
 
 
                                 ___________________________
                                       Chairperson,
                                       Town Planning Commission
_____________________
Date
 
         (b)   Approval of preliminary plat.
 
   This certifies that the Town Board of Commissioners approves the preliminary plat of the ___________ subdivision at its meeting on the _______ day of _________, 20____.
 
                                    ___________________________
 
 
 
                                    Subdivision Administrator
_____________________
Date
 
(Ord. passed 7-17-1984)