The following provisions shall apply to the submittal, review, and approval of a plat for minor subdivision.
(a) Submittal. Every subdivider desiring to create a minor subdivision as defined by this ordinance shall prepare and submit to the Director of Community Services twelve (12) copies of a plat for minor subdivision, including all information required for a minor subdivision plat by the provisions of this ordinance. The plat shall be submitted at least twelve (12) working days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which it is to be reviewed.
At the time of filing of a plat for minor subdivision, the subdivider shall submit a fee in the amount required by ordinance of the City.
If the construction of improvements is required for the minor subdivision, the subdivider shall submit for review and approval the Improvement Plans and estimation of improvement costs.
It is the policy of the City to encourage the subdivider to submit a copy of the proposed plat to the Lorain County Tax Map Office in conformance with the policies established by that Office.
(b) City Staff Review. The Director of Community Services shall distribute the preliminary plat to the Law Director, City Engineer, Director of Public Works and to other city officials as directed by the City Manager for review of the preliminary plat for compliance with all applicable requirements. The Director of Community Services shall make available the results of such reviews to the Planning Commission.
(c) Planning Commission Review and Action. The Planning Commission shall review the plat, related materials, and any reports submitted by City staff and shall take action within 90 days after the regularly scheduled meeting at which the plat is first reviewed. The action of the Commission shall be to:
(1) Approve the plat as submitted or modified; or
(2) Conditionally approve the plat, stipulating the conditions of such approval; or
(3) Disapprove the plat, expressing the reasons for disapproval.
(d) Effect of Planning Commission Approval. Approval or approval with conditions by the Planning Commission shall be the final approval required except when the minor subdivision involves the construction of improvements or when the Planning Commission establishes other conditions for compliance prior to recording of the plat. Approval of the Planning Commission shall be indicated by the signature of the Chair of the Planning Commission on the final plat.
The signature of the City Manager and the Law Director shall be required to indicate the satisfactory completion of any conditions (including, if applicable, the Construction Agreement, Performance Guarantee, and Restoration Bond) prior to filing for record and authorization for the subdivider to file for record. No action by City Council shall be required.
(e) Recording, Limit of Approval. The subdivider shall submit the minor subdivision plat to the Office of the Recorder of Lorain County and successfully complete all requirements for filing for record within sixty (60) days from the date of approval by the Planning Commission and subsequent to signing by the City Manager. The subdivider shall provide to the Director of Community Services a copy of the final plat as recorded.
Approval of a minor subdivision plat shall expire sixty (60) days after the approval of the Planning Commission is granted unless the plat is recorded in the Office of the County Recorder prior to the date of expiration.
(f) Special Restrictions for Minor Subdivisions. No lot existing at the effective date of this Subdivision Ordinance may be subdivided, in one or more approvals in compliance with procedures applicable to minor subdivisions in a manner which creates from such existing lot more than five (5) new lots of less than five acres each. Any additional new lot or lots created from such existing lot shall only be created in conformance with the provisions of this Subdivision Ordinance for approval of a major subdivision.
It shall be the policy of the City of Oberlin to encourage any subdivider of a property which has the potential to be subdivided into five or more lots to submit a plat for major subdivision.
(Ord. 96-82 AC. Passed 9-16-96.)