A. Plats: For all cases of subdividing within the scope of these regulations, as defined in section 12-405 of this chapter, a plat shall be drawn and submitted to the planning commission for approval or disapproval. All subdivisions located within the corporate limits of the city shall then be submitted to the city council for acceptance of public streets, alleys, easements, and areas dedicated to public use. All subdivisions located within the unincorporated portions of the county which are within the jurisdiction of the planning commission shall be submitted to the board for its acceptance of public streets, alleys, easements, and areas dedicated to public use.
B. Phases: The subdivision process prescribed in these regulations shall consist of three (3) phases:
1. Sketch plat;
2. Preliminary plat and improvement plans; and
3. Final plat. (Res. 901, 5-10-1977)
C. Exceptions To Regulations:
1. Lot Splits: Whenever there is a tract or previously subdivided parcel of land, under single ownership, which is to be resubdivided into four (4) or fewer lots, the proposed subdivision may be excepted from the procedural requirements of this code (i.e., preliminary and final plats are not required); however, this shall not constitute an exception from the design and improvement requirements herein contained. These exceptions, or "lot splits", shall be permitted under the following provisions:
a. An accurate survey plat of the proposed tract, and the resubdivision thereof, prepared by a land surveyor registered in the state of Oklahoma, shall be submitted to the planning commission.
b. The planning commission shall review the proposed "lot split" to ensure compliance with all design and improvement requirements of this code.
c. Unusable parcels shall not be created as a result of any "lot split".
d. Tracts or lots subdivided to accommodate an existing encroachment shall be conveyed jointly until encroachment no longer exists.
e. Provision of street right of way easements in accordance with this code.
f. Upon approval, the planning commission chairman shall certify the plat by signing the said document.
g. Upon denial, the reason(s) for denial shall be stated in writing and transmitted to the applicant.
h. Whenever a variance is requested from improvement standards, or a street or other improvement is to be dedicated, the city council shall have final approval and acceptance rights; for all other lot splits, the action of the planning commission shall be final.
i. A tract of land which has been subject to "lot splits" involving more than five (5) lots over any period of time shall not be allowed further use of the "lot split" exception; said tract shall be subject to the procedures contained herein for the platting of land.
2. Lot Line Adjustment:
a. Intent: The intent of a lot line adjustment is to address existing problems pertaining to building encroachment, irregular shaped lots, nonconforming lot sizes or to modify lot lines to promote orderly and efficient community growth.
b. Approval By Community Development Director: Unless referred by the community development director to the planning commission for review as hereinafter provided, the community development director shall approve or conditionally approve a lot line adjustment without notice or hearing subject to the following provisions:
(1) A greater or lesser number of lots are not created by any "lot line adjustment".
(2) No "lot line adjustment" shall be allowed unless all required improvements are either completed, and accepted by the city, or their construction is secured under the applicable provisions of this code.
(3) All proposed parcels or building sites involved in a "lot line adjustment" shall abut on either an existing alley or adequate utility easement, and on a publicly dedicated street.
(4) The adjusted lots in a "lot line adjustment" shall meet the building site dimensions for the district in which the lot is located, with respect to configuration and access to public streets, or if the lots do not meet these requirements, the adjusted lots do not increase the degree of nonconformity.
(5) The "lot line adjustment" does not create any lot which does not meet the minimum lot width and area standards for the zone district in which it is located.
(6) The "lot line adjustment" does not increase the degree of nonconformance of structures, lots, or other factors with respect to zoning standards.
(7) "Lot line adjustment" requests shall be reviewed and approved or denied by the community development director, with the right of appeal to the planning commission. (Ord. 1619, 2-14-2006)
D. Submission For Approval: Each sketch plat, preliminary plat and final plat submitted for approval shall be placed on the agenda of the planning commission only after fulfilling the appropriate requirements of these regulations. However, a plat not meeting all of the requirements may be submitted providing the subdivider presents with the plat a written request for specific exceptions and enumerates in detail the reasons therefor.
1. Plats submitted for consideration by the planning commission shall be presented to the administrative officer of the commission not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of first consideration; and
2. The date of the regular meeting of the planning commission at which the initial hearing on any plat required by these regulations is held shall constitute the official submittal date of the plat at which the statutory period required for formal approval or disapproval of the plat shall commence to run. (Res. 901, 5-10-1977)