§ 148-5 PROCEDURES FOR PLAT SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL.
   (A)   Preliminary conference.
      (1)   Before undertaking the preparation of a subdivision plat, the subdivider shall have prepared a sketch of the property in question, being drawn to approximate scale and showing the boundaries, general topography, important physical features and other significant information, as well as the proposed scheme for development of the property, including the proposed street and lot locations, areas to be reserved for public use, and proposed improvements.
      (2)   The subdivider shall then consult with the Planning Commission or its staff in order to ascertain the location of proposed major streets, highways, parks, playgrounds, school sites, and other planned public improvements, and to determine the zoning regulations and other requirements relating to, affecting, or applying to the proposed subdivision. The subdivider shall also consult with the Engineer and the Health Officer on the proposed street layout and the proposed facilities for sanitary sewage disposal, storm drainage, and water supply to serve the proposed subdivision. The purpose of these consultations is to assist the subdivider by furnishing information and advice in order to expedite matters for the subdivider, save him or her unnecessary expense, and promote the best coordination between the plans of the subdivider and those of the town.
   (B)   Submission of preliminary plat.
      (1)   The subdivider shall then prepare a preliminary plat of the proposed subdivision which conforms to the requirements for the preparation of the plat as set forth in § 148-7 of this chapter. At least two weeks prior to the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission at which action on the plat is desired, the following items shall be filed with the Secretary of the Planning Commission:
         (a)   Three black-line or blue-line prints of the preliminary plat;
         (b)   Supporting statements on required improvements and proposed deed restrictions as set forth in § 148-7 of this chapter; and
         (c)   An application for the approval of the plat on a form to be supplied by the Planning Commission.
      (2)   The preliminary plat shall be checked by the Planning Commission or its staff for its conformity with the transportation plan and other pertinent features of the comprehensive plan of the town, the applicable zoning and other regulations, and the design principles and standards and requirements for submission as set forth in this chapter. Copies of the preliminary plat shall be referred for review and approval to the Engineer, Health Officer, and other appropriate public officials concerned with public improvements or health requirements.
   (C)   Preliminary plat approval.
      (1)   A hearing on the preliminary plat shall be held at the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission. No hearing shall be held by the Planning Commission until notice thereof shall have been sent to the subdivider and to other interested parties as may be determined by the Planning Commission. At the hearing, the Planning Commission shall submit its findings and recommendations, together with those of the other public officials to whom copies were referred. The Planning Commission shall either tentatively approve or disapprove the preliminary plat, or it may approve the plat subject to specific changes or modifications. One copy of the preliminary plat, with any comments, shall be returned to the subdivider, with other copies being retained in the files of the Planning Commission.
      (2)   Tentative approval of a preliminary plat shall be valid for not more than six months. Unless a final plat, substantially in accordance with the approved preliminary plat and including any required changes or modifications, shall be filed with the Planning Commission within six months from the date of approval of the preliminary plat, the Planning Commission's approval thereof shall be deemed canceled; provided, however, that the final plat may include only a portion of the area in the preliminary plat and that final plats for remaining portions may be filed at a later date without a new preliminary plat, but subject to any changes in the regulations contained herein which are made after the six-month period.
   (D)   Installation of improvements. Following tentative approval of the preliminary plat, the subdivider shall prepare and submit plans for the installation of those improvements which he or she is required to make under the provisions of this chapter. Copies of the improvement plans shall be submitted to appropriate public officials for approval. Upon being notified that the improvement plans have been approved, the subdivider shall proceed with the installation of the improvements prior to filing a final plat for the subdivision with the Planning Commission, except that in lieu of completing the required improvements prior to the filing, the subdivider may furnish the Mayor and Council with a cash deposit or performance bond executed in accordance with the provisions of § 148-8(A) of this chapter.
   (E)   Submission of final plat.
      (1)   Following completion of the required improvements to the satisfaction of the appropriate public officials or following the posting of a performance bond or cash deposit in lieu of the completion, the subdivider shall prepare a final plat of the subdivision. The final plat may be for all the property included in the preliminary plat or it may be limited to any portion thereof which is intended to be developed as a unit. Additional final plats covering additional units of the property may be submitted later, provided that the preliminary plat is still valid. Every final plat shall be substantially in accordance with the tentatively approved preliminary plat, including any changes or additions required by the Planning Commission as a condition for its tentative approval, and it shall conform in every respect with the requirements for the preparation of the plat as set forth in § 148-9 of this chapter.
      (2)   At least two weeks prior to the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission at which action on the final plat is desired, the subdivider shall file the following items with the Secretary of the Planning Commission:
         (a)   Three copies of the plat on linen or dimensionally stable plastic film;
         (b)   Six black-line or blue-line prints of the plat;
         (c)   A properly executed statement of dedication of all streets in the subdivision to the appropriate jurisdiction, constituting an irrevocable offer to dedicate for a period of not less than five years from the date of its filing with the Planning Commission; and
         (d)   An application for approval of the plat on a form to be supplied by the Planning Commission.
   (F)   Final plat approval and recording.
      (1)   Upon receipt by the Planning Commission of evidence of the satisfactory completion of required improvements or the posting of a cash deposit or performance bond therefor, the Planning Commission shall consider approval of the final plat at its next regular meeting. If the final plat is found to comply with the requirements of this chapter and with the preliminary plat as approved, the Planning Commission shall approve the plat and shall endorse the fact of the approval on each of the several copies submitted by placing the signature of its Chairperson thereon.
      (2)   The Planning Commission shall approve or disapprove the final plat within 30 days after the filing of the plat with the Secretary of the Planning Commission; otherwise, the plat shall be deemed to have been approved, and a certificate to that effect shall be issued by the Planning Commission on demand; provided, however, that the subdivider may waive this requirement and consent to an extension of the period. The grounds for the disapproval of any final plat shall be stated upon the record of the Planning Commission.
      (3)   Upon approval of the final plat by the Planning Commission, the three signed copies of the plat on linen or plastic film shall be filed by the subdivider with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The signed black-line or blue-line prints shall be forwarded by the Planning Commission to the Supervisor of Assessments, the state Department of Health, the Health Officer, and the Engineer, with one print retained by the Planning Commission and one print returned to the subdivider.
(Prior Code, § 148-5) (Ord. passed 5-3-1975)