(A) Preparation.
(1) The preliminary plat shall be prepared by a licensed land surveyor or engineer at a convenient scale of not more than 100 feet to the inch, the sheets shall be numbered in sequence if more than one sheet is used and shall be of such size as is acceptable for filing in the office of the County Recorder, but shall not be larger than 24 x 30 inches. (It should be noted that the map prepared for the preliminary plat may also be used for the final subdivision plat and, therefore, should be drawn on tracing cloth or reproducible mylar.)
(2) Plans for the preliminary plat shall be submitted to the Plan Commission at least 15 days prior to the regular meeting of the Commission for which it is intended to be heard. The entire subdivision plan shall be submitted.
(3) There shall be three copies of the plans with the following information:
(a) Name of the subdivision and all new streets. (The Commission may change the names if conflict with other streets or subdivision.)
(b) Name and address of developer if other than owner, including all owners of the land to be subdivided.
(c) The name of surveyor or engineer along with seal. (See Appendix § 3 for Surveyor Certification form)
(d) North line and scale.
(e) Contours at vertical intervals of two feet if the general slope is less than 10% and five feet intervals if the slope is more than 10%.
(f) Street and right-of-way including name of street.
(g) Public area.
(h) Lots, number and size, give dimensions, bearing and area of each lot.
(i) Building setback lines.
(j) Legal description of property being divided.
(k) Location map with nearest crossroads and surrounding property.
(l) Utilities easement.
(m) Drainage plan.
(n) Soil survey stating soil is suitable for septic systems.
(B) Administrative Review. Subsequent to placement on the agenda, and prior to the date of public hearing, the Administrator shall review the proposal and prepare a written report to the Commission indicating a recommendation with regard to the subdivision being proposed. The developer shall file all forms made available by the Plan Commission Office with the filing fee of $25 plus $2 per lot.
(C) Public Hearing Notification. The Commission shall hold a public hearing on the preliminary plat and notice of such hearing shall be in the local newspapers of general circulation ten days prior to the hearing, per IC 5-3-1, at the applicant's expense. At the time of the public hearing, the applicant shall submit statements showing the public hearing notice was published at least ten days prior to the public hearing. The Administrator shall show that interested parties were notified by mail five days prior to the hearing of the date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing.
(D) Primary Approval of the Preliminary Plat. After the Commission has held a hearing upon the preliminary plat, the Administrator's report, checkpoint recommendations, testimony, and exhibits submitted at the public hearing, the applicant shall be advised of any required changes and/or additions. The Commission shall, at a public hearing, grant primary approval, or disapprove the preliminary plat. One copy of the preliminary plat shall be returned to the applicant with the date of approval, conditional approval, or disapproval and the reasons therefor accompanying the plat within five days of the public hearing.
(E) Field Trip. The Commission, at its discretion, upon hearing the request for primary approval, may elect to continue the matter until its next regularly scheduled public meeting, and may schedule a field trip to the site of the proposed subdivision, accompanied by the applicant or his representative or any other person or persons at the discretion of the Commission. These procedures shall be accordance with IC 5-3-1.
(F) Effective Period of Primary Approval. Unless extended, the primary approval of a preliminary plat shall be effective for a period of two years after the date of primary approval, at the end of which time secondary approval of the subdivision must have been obtained. The Commission may extend the primary approval of a preliminary plat in increments of two years beyond an expiration date without further notice and public hearing. Secondary approval of subdivision cannot occur until a minimum of ten days has elapsed since the granting of primary approval.
(Ord. 6-2002, passed 3-4-02) Penalty, see § 156.999