(a) Preapplication conference.
(1) The subdivider shall confer with the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to submitting the preliminary plat. The request for a preapplication conference shall be made by the developer not less than 14 days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. The purpose of such conference is to discuss early and informally the purpose and effect of these Subdivision Regulations and the criteria and standards contained therein and to familiarize the developer with the Comprehensive Plan, the Thoroughfare Plan, the Community Facility Plan, the Zoning Code, the utility system, the historical and environmental considerations of the city and the procedure for subdivision approval.
(2) The following information should be presented at the preapplication conference:
A. The names and addresses of the owner and the subdivider; and
B. A map or sketch showing the location, approximate acreage, number of lots and proposed use of the subdivision.
(3) The staff shall visit the site and review the conceptual plan to explore alternative roadway alignments, sublot arrangements, the environmental overlay districts, access to adjacent properties, effects of the proposed improvements on the property, the general character of the subdivision relative to the surrounding neighborhood, and how the subdivision fits into the city’s future development plans.
(4) The Planning and Zoning Commission may retain the services of consultants as it deems necessary to review the conceptual plan. The cost of such services shall be paid by the applicant.
(5) Ten copies of the conceptual plan shall be delivered to the City Engineer for distribution to a representative of City Council, to the administrative staff, consultants and other affected agencies. The applicant shall be responsible for delivering copies of the conceptual plan to:
A. Consumers Ohio Water Company;
B. Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District;
C. Lake County General Health District; and
D. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (if necessary).
(b) Application. The applicant shall present all information as requested in this section and all information subsequently requested by the Commission to determine that the proposed plan is satisfactory and will serve the public interest.
(c) Review by the City Engineer and Zoning Inspector.
(1) If the application and documentation submitted do not comply with all the requirements of the preliminary plat, the City Engineer shall reject the application and inform the applicant in writing.
(2) When the Zoning Inspector receives a complete preliminary plan application, the Zoning Inspector shall determine whether the parcel or parcels comply with the existing zoning regulations. Within ten days (a “day” is defined as a “working day”) after receiving a completed application, the Zoning Inspector will either certify that the drawings meet the requirements of the existing Zoning Code as submitted or note any violations of the existing Zoning Code and notify the applicant in writing. The applicant may either request that the application be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission or may modify the application to eliminate the zoning violations. If the Zoning Inspector finds that the parcel or parcels comply with existing zoning regulations, the Zoning Inspector shall submit the application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
(3) An application must be submitted at least 20 days prior to a regularly scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in order to be placed on the agenda for that meeting.
(d) Review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(1) The Zoning Inspector shall notify known owners of contiguous property, and/or known interested parties, of a public hearing at which the subdivision in question will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant shall provide a list of contiguous property owners on gummed labels.
(2) Within 45 days after a preliminary plan application has been properly submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission or within a mutually agreed upon extension, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall either approve or deny the application.
(3) The Secretary of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall notify the applicant and Council, in writing, of the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(4) Approval of a preliminary plan is not an acceptance of the subdivision for record. It is an approval of a general plan as a guide for the preparation of the final plat and the improvement plans. Approval of a preliminary plan shall be effective for a period of one year following the date of approval unless an extension of time is granted. Upon expiration of preliminary plan approval, no approval of a final plat shall be given until the preliminary plan has been resubmitted and approved. Construction shall not begin until the improvement plans have been approved by the City Engineer.
(e) Action by Council. After approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the preliminary plans shall be submitted to Council for review and approval.
(Ord. 97-O-63, passed 3-2-1998; Am. Ord. 13-O-59, passed 12-16-2013)