The purpose of the sketch plan is to establish in advance the overall objectives of the applicant, the extent to which the proposed plan conforms with the provisions of this chapter and if such plan qualifies as a minor subdivision, major subdivision or a land development. While sketch plans are not required for land development applications, it is recommended that they be submitted to avoid unnecessary expense and delay. Comments made on the sketch plan are only recommendations and are not binding.
A. 
Notice. The applicant shall request from the administrator at least 10 business days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission that time be reserved on the agenda for the applicant to submit a sketch plan.
B. 
Submission.
(1) 
The applicant shall submit two full-size sets of the sketch plan, and five reduced-size sets no less than 11 inches by 17 inches. In addition, a complete set of the plan shall be submitted in electronic format (e.g., PDF). The submission shall be made to the Administrator, by certified mail or by delivery in person, no later than 4:00 p.m. at least seven calendar days prior to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission workshop meeting.
[Amended 11-19-2020 by Ord. No. 366; 7-15-2021 by Ord. No. 374]
(2) 
All sketch plans shall provide the information required by § 175-20, unless specifically waived by the Planning Commission.
C. 
Review and decision by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall review the sketch plan at any public meeting. The Planning Commission shall inform the applicant that the plans and data as submitted do or do not meet the objectives and requirements of this chapter and any other applicable regulations.
D. 
Determination as a major or minor subdivision. The Planning Commission's minutes shall reflect a determination of the classification of the plan as a minor subdivision, major subdivision or land development.
E. 
Review by the Board of Supervisors.
(1) 
The Board of Supervisors shall review the sketch plan following the Planning Commission's review. The Board of Supervisors shall inform the applicant that the plan and data as submitted do or do not meet the objectives and requirements of this chapter and shall be a part of the meeting's minutes.
(2) 
The determination shall state whether a resubmission of a sketch plan is recommended or whether the requested changes may be reflected in the preliminary plan to be submitted.
F. 
Preliminary plan submission deadline. If the applicant elects to submit a sketch plan, failure of the applicant to submit a proper application for a preliminary plan within six months after classification of the sketch plan as a major subdivision or land development shall render any comments of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors on the sketch plan null and void.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also the Application for Review of Sketch Plan and the Article IV Sketch Plan Checklist, included as attachments to this chapter.
All sketch plans shall contain the information in Subsections A through J as follows:
A. 
The name and location of the subdivision or land development.
B. 
The names and addresses of:
(1) 
The landowner.
(2) 
The developer.
(3) 
If the developer is not an individual, then the developer's principal officers and any person or entity holding an ownership interest of 10% or more in the entity.
(4) 
The firm or the person that prepared the sketch plan.
C. 
The location map shall show roads and parcels and zoning district lines. The required scale of the map is not to be specified. The map shall encompass an area of eight inches by eight inches centered around the site. USAS maps shall not be used.
D. 
General information.
(1) 
North arrow.
(2) 
Both graphic scales and written scales, one inch equals 50 feet or one inch equals 100 feet preferred.
(3) 
The date of the plan.
(4) 
Site boundaries.
(5) 
Boundaries with all adjoining properties with names of landowners.
E. 
The location of natural features on the site.
(1) 
Contour lines at an interval of not more than 20 feet as accurately superimposed from the latest United States Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle map.
(2) 
Permanent and seasonal high-water table areas.
(3) 
Watercourses, lakes and wetlands. (If no wetlands are present, that fact should be so noted.)
(4) 
One-hundred-year flood zones.
(5) 
Location and extent of various soil types and DEP classification for each.
(6) 
Rock outcrops and stone fields.
F. 
Location of existing man-made features.
(1) 
Street names and width of rights-of-way on the site and on immediately adjacent tracts.
(2) 
Existing lot layout on the site and on immediately adjacent tracts.
(3) 
Historic sites or structures, including name and description.
(4) 
Sewer lines, waterlines, stormwater drains, culverts and other utilities.
(5) 
Utility easements and restrictive covenants and easements for purposes which might affect development.
G. 
Zoning requirements.
(1) 
Applicable district with information.
(2) 
Lot size, maximum density and yard requirements.
(3) 
Required open space.
H. 
Proposed layout.
(1) 
Total acreage of site.
(2) 
Proposed general lot layout.
(3) 
Proposed general street layout and linear feet of new streets.
(4) 
Rights-of-way, restrictive covenants and easements for all drainage, utilities and other purposes which might affect development.
(5) 
Number of units and types of buildings proposed.
(6) 
Open space areas and recreation areas.
(7) 
Map of entire contiguous holdings of owner or developer showing sketch plan for roads.
I. 
Supportive documents and information.
(1) 
Latest USGS quadrangle map or portion thereof with the perimeter of the development accurately plotted on paper.
J. 
Architectural drawings.
(1) 
Floor plans of the proposed building(s).
(2) 
Elevations of all sides of the proposed building(s).
(3) 
Colored rendering of the building(s) and partial site.
(4) 
Additional drawings as requested by the Planning Commission to help understand the proposed building and site utilization.