The following submission and review process shall apply for minor subdivisions, annexations to a lot, and what the county determines to be minor revisions of approved plats.
(A) Final plat submission required. A final plat submission for each minor subdivision or lot line adjustment must be filed by the applicant and reviewed in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. A preliminary plat is not required for a minor subdivision or a lot line adjustment.
(B) Required submission.
(1) The Planning Director shall publish application forms and a checklist of required information for minor subdivisions and lot line adjustments. The checklist shall include the information listed in this article and may include other items necessary to determine compliance with applicable county requirements. The checklist and revisions to the checklist shall be approved by the Planning Commission.
(2) The applicant shall file the required fee(s) and required number of copies of required plats and materials (see § 159.082).
(3) The applicant is fully responsible to contact utility providers to gain approval for utilities; obtain any needed permits or approvals from state and federal agencies, such as approval from the State Highway Administration for any work within the right-of-way of a state road or access to a state road; and obtain approval from the County Health Department, as applicable.
(C) Initial actions by the staff.
(1) If the Subdivision Administrator determines that the submission is significantly incomplete, then he/she shall either:
(a) Not accept the submission; or
(b) Accept the submission on the condition that the applicant submits such additional information by a specific deadline.
(2) The maximum time limits for actions by the county shall not apply until after a submission is complete, and after any needed zoning variance or subdivision modification has been granted.
(3) The staff shall retain in the Commission's files 1 copy of all materials submitted by the applicant.
(4) The applicant shall provide copies of the submission to the County Engineer.
(D) Streamlined approval. An application under this section may be approved by and signed by the Planning Director. The Director shall provide a report to the Planning Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting on all minor subdivisions approved under this section.
(E) Review and action by the Planning Director. The Planning Director shall accomplish the following within 30 days of receipt of the required number of copies of the complete submission, unless the applicant grants a written time extension.
(1) Review all applicable comments received from the appropriate review agencies and officers. The Planning Director shall make sure that the signature of the Garrett County Health Officer or his/her designee has been placed on the plat before any action is taken;
(2) Determine whether the final plat submission meets the requirements of this chapter and other applicable ordinances;
(3) Review the final plat submission and recommend any needed revisions so that the submission will conform to this chapter and other applicable ordinances; and
(4) Approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the final plat submission, specifying any recommended conditions for approval. If a final plat submission is disapproved, the decision shall specify at least 1 defect found in the submission, and shall cite the provisions of a statute or ordinance relied upon. If a submittal is reasonably complete, then the county staff should endeavor to identify all obvious defects known to the staff.
(5) The decision of the Planning Director shall be in writing and shall be communicated to the applicant personally or mailed to him/her at the last known address following the decision.
(6) The approval of the final plat by the Planning Director shall not by itself constitute an acceptance of the dedication of any road or other proposed public way, space or area. An acceptance of dedication by the county shall not occur until specifically authorized by the Board of Commissioners.
(F) Expiration.
(1) When the Planning Director provides written comments to the applicant listing required revisions to a final plat submission for a minor subdivision, the applicant must submit a revised final plat within 2 years of the date of the comments. If a revised plat is not submitted within 2 years, the final plat application shall be void and a new submission shall be required.
(2) A final plat shall become void if a record plat is not recorded within 10 years of the final plat approval.
(Ord. —, passed 6-24-1997; Am. Ord. —, passed 7-13-1999; Am. Res. 2010-5, passed 5-25-2010)