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.
A. 
Purpose.
(1) 
The purpose of the tentative sketch plan is to afford the applicant the opportunity to consult early and informally with the City's Inspector and Planning Commission before preparation of the preliminary plat and formal application for approval.
(2) 
During the tentative sketch plan procedure, the applicant can advantageously make use of the services of the administrative personnel of the City as well as the Planning Commission to help him analyze the problem of the development and plan more adequately for its sound coordination with the community. This procedure also affords City administrative personnel and the Planning Commission the opportunity to give informal guidance to the applicant at a stage when potential points of difference can be more easily resolved. It can also simplify official actions and save unnecessary expense and delay.
(3) 
The review by the Planning Commission of the tentative sketch plan does not infer any special status on the tentative sketch plan, nor does it guarantee subsequent approvals (i. e., preliminary or final plat approvals), but is only to allow the applicant to determine feasibility of his project prior to incurring extensive costs for surveys and engineering and to determine the maximum density allowable on the parcel.
B. 
Procedure.
(1) 
The applicant prepares the sketch plan.
(2) 
The applicant submits 12 copies of the sketch plan and application to tile City Inspector.
(3) 
The City Inspector checks submission against a checklist for completeness and:
(a) 
If submission is incomplete, immediately returns submission to the applicant and indicates deficiencies; or
(b) 
If submission is complete, accepts the sketch plan and application.
(4) 
The City Inspector shall immediately distribute copies of the sketch plan and application to:
(a) 
City Council: one copy.
(b) 
Planning Commission: four copies.
(c) 
City Inspector: one copy.
(d) 
Three copies shall be provided for all other reviewing agencies.
(5) 
At the first regular meeting held 15 days following receipt of the complete submission by the City Inspector, the Planning Commission shall:
(a) 
Receive and review the applicant's submission.
(b) 
Receive and review reports by the City Inspector.
(c) 
Hear the applicant's presentation.
(d) 
Discuss submission with the applicant.
(6) 
The Planning Commission, either the same evening or at least within one month following the receipt of the applicant's submission by the Commission, shall:
(a) 
Evaluate the applicant's submission, presentation, discussion with the applicant and the City Inspector's report.
(b) 
Determine whether the sketch plan meets the objectives and requirements of the land subdivision regulations and other regulations and ordinances.
(c) 
Inform the applicant, in writing, of the decision, including required changes in the sketch plan and the reasons for the decision.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the preliminary plat is to require formal conditional approval in order to minimize changes and revisions before a final plat is submitted.
B. 
General. A preliminary plat and all information and procedures relating thereto shall in all respects be in compliance with the provisions of these regulations, except where variation therefrom may be specifically authorized, in writing, by the Planning Commission.
C. 
Procedure.
(1) 
The applicant prepares the preliminary plat and application.
(2) 
The applicant submits 12 copies of the preliminary plat and application to the City Inspector.
(3) 
The City Inspector checks submission against checklist for completeness, and:
(a) 
If submission is incomplete, immediately returns submission to the applicant and indicates deficiencies.
(b) 
If submission is complete, accepts preliminary plat, application and fees.
(4) 
The City Inspector shall immediately distribute copies of the preliminary plat and application to:
(a) 
Planning Commission: seven copies.
(b) 
Other reviewing agencies: five copies.
(5) 
At the first regular meeting following receipt of the reviewing agencies' advisory opinions the Planning Commission shall:
(a) 
Check the preliminary plat as to its substantial conformity with the City's Comprehensive Plan and the City's Critical Area Protection Program, as applicable; the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance[1] and these Subdivision Regulations, including the intent and purpose of the ordinances; and the recommendations of reviewing agencies and other federal and state agencies. Incomplete plats or those lacking the required information shall be returned to the applicant for completion and subsequent resubmission.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 112, Zoning.
(b) 
Review the preliminary plat and evaluate the applicant's submission, presentation and reviewing agencies' reports with regard to substantial conformance with the land use management classifications and provisions relating thereto of the City's Comprehensive Plan and provisions of the City's Critical Area Protection Program, where applicable.
(6) 
The Planning and Zoning Commission, either the same evening or at least within one month following that meeting, shall:
(a) 
Evaluate the applicant's submission presentation, discussion with the applicant and the reviewing agencies' reports.
(b) 
Determine whether the preliminary plat meets the objectives and requirements of the land subdivision regulations and other regulations and ordinances.
(c) 
Inform the applicant, in writing, of the decision, including required changes in the preliminary plat and the reasons for the decision.
(7) 
Approval of the preliminary plat shall constitute conditional approval of the subdivision as to character and density but shall not constitute approval of the final plat or authorize it to be recorded with the Clerk of the Court of Somerset County or authorize the sale of lots or the construction of any building.
(8) 
Approval of the preliminary plat shall be valid for a period of two years; however, such approval may be extended for up to one additional year subject to a request by the subdivider and a favorable finding by the Commission. Only one extension per applicant shall be allowed.
A. 
Procedure. Minor subdivision plat review procedures shall be the same as final submission procedures.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the final submission is to require formal approval by the Planning Commission before plats for all subdivisions are recorded as required by § 96-6 of these regulations. The purpose of the revised preliminary plat is to both demonstrate compliance with the conditions of preliminary approval as set forth in § 96-12B and C and to provide sufficient detailed information to obtain City permits for construction.
B. 
General. The final submission shall consist of a final plat and revised preliminary plats all of which shall conform to the appropriate checklist in the Appendix.[1] Preliminary and final plat procedures may be executed simultaneously in the case of minor subdivision plats.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is located at the end of this chapter.
C. 
Procedure for final submission.
(1) 
The applicant prepares the final submission and application.
(2) 
Unless the applicant has applied for and has received an extension of up to one year from the Planning Commission, the applicant shall submit within one year from the date of receiving conditional approval of the preliminary plat to the City Inspector the following: six copies of the final plat and application.
(3) 
The City Inspector checks submission against checklists for completeness and:
(a) 
If submission is incomplete, immediately returns submission to applicant and indicates deficiencies; or
(b) 
If submission is complete, accepts the same and the application.
(4) 
The City Inspector shall immediately distribute copies of the final submission to:
(a) 
Planning Commission: three copies.
(b) 
Other reviewing agencies: two copies.
(5) 
At the first regular meeting following receipt of the complete submission to the City Inspector, the Planning Commission shall:
(a) 
Receive and review the applicant's submission.
(b) 
Hear the applicant's presentation, if applicable.
(c) 
Discuss submission with the applicant.
(6) 
The Planning Commission, either the same evening or within 30 days following that meeting shall:
(a) 
Evaluate the applicant's submission, presentation, discussion with applicant.
(b) 
Determine whether the final submission meets the objectives and requirements of the land subdivision regulations and other regulations and ordinances.
(c) 
Inform the applicant, in writing, of the decision, including required changes and the reasons for the decision.
(7) 
If approved:
(a) 
The Planning Commission shall recommend approval of the final submission.
(b) 
Approval shall not be final until production of completion guarantee as set forth in Article VII.
(c) 
Three exact Mylar copies and six blueprint copies of the approved final plat with required signatures as specified in Article VIII shall be submitted to the Planning Commission.
(8) 
The Planning Commission shall then file two Mylars for record with the Clerk of the Court, Somerset County, and shall distribute other prints to official agencies as may be required.
D. 
Effect of recording.
(1) 
Streets, parks and other public improvements shown on a subdivision plat to be recorded may be offered for dedication to the City by formal notation thereof on the plat, or the owner may note on the plat that such improvements have not been offered for dedication to the town.
(2) 
Recording the final plat by the Planning Commission shall not be deemed to constitute or effect an acceptance by the public of the dedication of any street or other proposed public park or improvement shown on said plat, but improvements so noted for dedication may be accepted by the public through any subsequent appropriate act.
A. 
Preliminary inspection.
(1) 
The applicant shall notify the City Engineer of the completion of the required improvements.
(2) 
The City Engineer shall:
(a) 
Inspect the completed required improvements.
(b) 
Submit, in writing, a report to the City Council specifying those times of construction, material and workmanship which do not comply with the City's specifications or the approved final plat.
(3) 
The applicant, upon notification from the City Engineer, shall:
(a) 
Proceed, at his own cost, to make such corrections as shall be required to comply with the City's specifications and approved final plats.
(b) 
Notify the City Engineer and/or City Council upon completion, requesting final inspection.
B. 
Final inspection. The City and/or City Engineer shall make a final inspection with the applicant of all required improvements.
C. 
Acceptance. If improvements are to be accepted by the City, the City Council shall notify the applicant of acceptance of the required improvements if satisfied that the applicant has compiled with all specifications and ordinances of the City.