The preliminary plat Is intended to provide a formal basis for Planning and Zoning Commission review and consideration of a subdivision prior to preparation of a final plat
(a) The preliminary plat, subdivision application, and all information and procedures relating thereto shall in all respects be in compliance with the provisions of the Subdivision Ordinance, except where variation therefrom may be specifically authorized in writing by the Commission.
(b) Six copies of the preliminary plat and the supplementary material specified shall be submitted to the Commission together with a written application on forms provided by the Commission.
(c) Upon receipt of the six (6) copies of the preliminary plat and other required data, and the written application form, the Commission shall set a place and date for a public hearing and notify by general publication or otherwise any person or governmental unit having a probable interest in the proposed subdivision.
(d) The Commission shall transmit a copy of the preliminary plat, and the supplementary data, to the pertinent review agencies. Such agencies shall transmit recommendations and comments on the requested subdivision to the Planning and Zoning Commission before the date established for the public hearing. The Commission may transmit copies of the plat and data to other local and State agencies for review and recommendations as deemed appropriate.
(e) The public hearing shall be held. After the hearing, the Commission shall proceed to the consideration of the preliminary plat. The Commission shall consider comments and opinions expressed at the public hearing but the Commission shall be responsible for reaching its own conclusions on the merits of the proposed subdivision. In determining whether conditional approval should be given to the preliminary plat, the Commission shall be guided by the accompanying design standards. Particular attention shall be given to the arrangement, location and width of streets and their relation to the topography, water supply, sewage disposal, drainage, lot sizes and arrangements, the future development of adjoining lands not yet subdivided, and the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
(f) Following review of the preliminary plat and other material submitted for conformity to these regulations, and discussions with the subdivider on changes deemed advisable, and the kind and extent of improvement to be made by him, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the preliminary plat within forty-five days following formal receipt of such plat by the Commission. Approval of the preliminary plat is tentative involving the general acceptability of the layout submitted and shall in no way constitute approval of the final plat. Preliminary plat approval shall be effective for a period of one year, and such additional periods as may be specifically approved in writing by the Commission.
(1) Approval of the preliminary plat shall be noted by the president or vice president of the Commission signing two copies of such plat. One copy is to be returned to the applicant and the second retained in the Commission's files.
(2) If the Commission disapproves the preliminary plat, it shall set forth the reasons for disapproval in its records and provide the applicant with written notification of such reasons.
(3) Conditional approval of a preliminary plat shall state the conditions or modifications necessary to satisfy requirements of the Subdivision ordinance prior to the submission of the final plat.
(g) Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit submittal of preliminary plat and data in the form required for final plat and data, for use in both preliminary and final review. (Ord. 82-40. Passed 11-4-82.)