The procedures hereinafter specified provide
not only for the conditional approval of a preliminary plat and approval
of a final plat, but also for a preapplication tentative sketch plan.
The tentative sketch plan procedure is optional to the applicant and
is not a prerequisite to the approval of the final plat, except when
such subdivisions occur in the critical area. However, this optional
procedure is strongly recommended because it provides the applicant
with an opportunity to resolve problems early in the proceedings and
to make necessary modifications and revisions prior to incurring the
expense of preparing a preliminary and final plat.