A. The purpose of the sketch plat is to provide for the identification and arbitration of the interests of the parties involved in the subdivision of land. These parties include the subdivider, adjacent landowners, planning commission and the governing body.
B. Prior to submission of a preliminary plat, the subdivider shall file an application for sketch plat approval with the administrative officer of the planning commission. This application shall:
1. Be made on forms available from the administrative officer;
2. Include all contiguous holdings of the owner including land under the "same ownership" with an indication of which portion is proposed to be subdivided;
3. Be accompanied by a minimum of four (4) copies of the sketch plat as described in these regulations; and
4. Include a list of adjoining property owners as reflected in the latest tax rolls; and the mailing addresses of the owners or their representatives.
C. The sketch plat shall be reviewed by the administrative officer of the planning commission with the advice of persons or agencies which he shall so designate. In reviewing the sketch plat, the administrative officer shall follow the procedures contained in these regulations.
D. Upon receipt of a sketch plat, the administrative officer shall:
1. Notify adjoining landowners of the sketch plat by first class mail allowing ten (10) days from the date of mailing for submission of comments;
2. Prepare written comments and recommendations regarding the sketch plat and transmit the report to the subdivider within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the sketch plat. The report shall indicate whether the sketch plat shall be submitted to the planning commission under one or more of the provisions of these regulations; and
3. In review of a sketch plat, particular attention will be given to the arrangement, location, width of streets and their relation to topography; sewage disposal, drainage, lot arrangement, the future development of adjacent land, and the provisions of the general plan and other ordinances and resolutions affecting land development use.
E. The administrative officer shall refer the sketch plat to the planning commission when one or more of the following conditions exists:
1. If a sketch plat accompanies a rezoning request;
2. If subdivider requests arbitration of recommendation of the administrative officer;
3. If the sketch plat includes an area of greater than twenty (20) acres which is to be developed in phases, the sketch plat shall be presented prior to or in conjunction with the preliminary plat for the initial phase;
4. If the sketch plat is, in the opinion of the administrative officer, significantly at variance with an adopted neighborhood plan;
5. If the sketch plat proposes any variance from the standards established in these regulations; and
6. If for any reason, the administrative officer believes the planning commission should review the sketch plat before consideration of the preliminary plat.
F. The sketch plat shall be deemed approved only after:
1. The subdivider has been notified of the administrative officer's recommendations and has agreed to comply therewith; or
2. The planning commission has reviewed the sketch plat and has approved it as submitted, conditionally approved it, or approved a revision thereof.
In reviewing a sketch plat, the planning commission may approve the submission of a preliminary plat bearing required changes rather than requiring a revised sketch plat. (Res. 901, 5-10-1977)