(A) Sketch plan.
(1) In order to ensure that all applicants are informed of the procedural requirements and standards of this chapter, and the requirements or limitations imposed by city ordinances and the comprehensive plan, all applicants shall meet with the City Council and the County Planning Department and prepare a sketch plan prior to preparing a preliminary plat.
(2) The sketch plan shall be drawn to scale and contain as a minimum the following information:
(a) Tract boundaries and dimensions;
(b) Significant topographic and physical features;
(c) Proposed general street and lot layout;
(d) General location of proposed public and private open space areas; and
(e) General drainage plan.
(B) Preparing and submitting the preliminary plat.
(1) When the subdivider feels he or she is ready to prepare the preliminary plat, he or she shall have his or her surveyor and/or planner draw one which is in conformity with the requirements of this chapter. (See § 156.006.)
(2) The subdivider shall fill out an application for consideration of planning request, or other applicable blanks as may be required.
(3) The subdivider shall furnish the City Clerk-Administrator with ten copies of the preliminary plat and seven copies with the County Surveyor’s office.
(4) Copies shall be furnished to the appropriate watershed district.
(5) If the owner and developer are not the same, a consent of owner shall be filed.
(C) Review of the preliminary plat.
(1) The City Clerk-Administrator shall, upon receipt of the plat and application, refer one copy of the plat and application to the City Council, two copies of the plat to the Planning Commission and one copy of the plat to the City Engineer. Two copies of the plat shall also be referred to the County Planning Coordinator and one copy of the plat to the school district.
(2) Any proposed preliminary plat which includes lands abutting upon any existing or established trunk highway or proposed highway which has been designated by a centerline order filed in the office of the County Recorder shall first be presented to the Commissioner of Transportation for his or her written comments and recommendations.
(a) Where any preliminary plat includes land abutting upon an existing or established county or county state aid highway, it shall first be submitted to the County Engineer for his or her written comments and recommendations. Preliminary plans involving both a trunk highway and a highway under county jurisdiction shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Transportation and the County Highway Engineer. Plats shall be submitted for review at least 30 days prior to the city taking final action on the preliminary plat. The Commissioner of Transportation and/or the County Highway Engineer shall submit the written comments and recommendations to the city within 30 days after receipt by them of such a plat. Final action on such plat by the city shall not be taken until after these required comments and recommendations have been received or until the 30-day period has elapsed.
(b) A legible preliminary drawing or print of a proposed preliminary plat shall be acceptable for purposes of review by the Commissioner or Transportation or the County Highway Engineer. To such drawing or print there shall be attached a written statement describing:
1. The outlet for and means of disposal of surface waters from the proposed platted area;
2. The land use designation or zoning category of the proposed platted area;
3. The locations of ingress and egress to the proposed platted area; and
4. A preliminary site plan for the proposed platted area, if one has been prepared.
(c) Failure to obtain the written comments and recommendations of the Commissioner of Transportation or the County Highway Engineer shall in no manner affect the title of the lands included in the plat or the platting of said lands. A certificate or other evidence shall be required to or upon the plat for filing in the office of the County Recorder or Registrar of Titles as to the submission of or the obtaining of such written comments and recommendations. The city shall provide the certificate or other evidence to the County Recorder or Registrar of Titles.
(3) For plats proposed in the unincorporated area of the county, the County Plat Commission shall review the preliminary plat prior to consideration by the City Council. The Plat Commission shall within seven days of reviewing said plat send their comments to the City Council.
(4) The engineer, school board, County Planning Coordinator, and the district highway engineer, if appropriate, shall within 30 days, submit reports to the City Council expressing recommendations for approval, disapproval or revisions.
(a) If no report is received within 30 days, it will be assumed by the local Planning Commission that there are no objections to the plat as submitted.
(b) After review by the Plat Commission and upon receipt of an application by the City Council, the City Council shall hold a public hearing and follow procedures as set forth in this chapter.
(5) The County Plat Commission or City Council may require modifications, changes and revisions of the preliminary plat, as it deems necessary to protect the health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience and general welfare of the city.
(6) If the preliminary plat is not approved by the City Council or Plat Commission, the reasons for such action shall be recorded in the proceedings and transmitted to the applicant.
(7) Should the subdivider desire to amend the plat as approved he or she may submit an amended plat which shall follow the same procedure as a new plat, except for the public hearing and fee unless the amendment is in the opinion of the City Council of such scope as to constitute a new plat, then it shall be re-filed.
(8) Any plat proposed in a Shoreland District or St. Croix River District must have approval of the State Department of Natural Resources. If a watershed district exists in the area of the proposed platted property, approval must be obtained from the watershed district.
(D) Preparing and submitting the final plat.
(1) After approval of the preliminary plat, the final plat may be prepared. It shall incorporate all changes, modifications and revisions required; otherwise, it shall conform to the approved preliminary plat.
(2) In the case of large subdivisions, to be developed in stages, the subdivider may be granted permission to prepare a final plat for only the portion of the approved plat which he or she proposes to develop at this time, provided such portion conforms with all the requirements of these regulations. The subdivider may be required, as a condition of approval, to submit an estimated time schedule for further staging of the platting and recording.
(3) All plats shall comply with the provisions of state statutes, the standard procedures for platting in the county, and the requirements of this chapter.
(4) The subdivider shall submit the final plat to the City Clerk-Administrator and County Surveyor’s office not later than six months after the date of approval of the preliminary plat. The approval of the preliminary plat will be considered void unless an extension is requested in writing by the subdivider and granted by the City Council and County Plat Commission.
(5) The subdivider shall submit, with the final plat, an opinion of title by the subdivider’s attorney.
(E) Review of the final plat.
(1) After attaining approval of the preliminary plat, the subdivider shall submit ten copies of the final plat along with plat checking fee to the County Surveyor for review by the County Surveyor and Plat Commission.
(2) For a subdivision proposed in the unincorporated area of the county, the County Plat Commission shall review the final plat. Within seven days of reviewing said plat, the County Plat Committee will forward comments to the City Council. The City Council shall review the final plat in accordance with this chapter.
(3) Prior to approval of the final plat by the County Plat Commission, the subdivider shall have installed all required improvements or executed an agreement with the City Council for their installation. Required improvements shall conform to approved engineering standards and be in compliance with this chapter.
(4) If the final plat is not approved, the reasons for such action shall be recorded in the official proceedings and transmitted to the subdivider.
(5) The final plat must be approved by the County Surveyor in accordance with the standard procedures for platting in the county.
(6) Upon receiving final plat approval by the city and the County Plat Commission, the subdivider shall then record it with the County Recorder within 120 days or the approved plat shall be considered void.
(7) Upon receiving approval of the final plat for a portion of the approved plat, the subdivider shall not be required to request a continuation of the recognition of the plat so as to maintain its approval except that in the event a zoning amendment is adopted which requires a larger minimum lot size for land not yet platted and recorded, the larger minimum lot size may be required for any additional platting.
(Ord. passed - -) Penalty, see § 156.999