It is suggested that before preparing a preliminary plat each subdivider should first consult with the commission, or its designated representative, for preliminary information, advice, and suggestions. A rough sketch of the proposed subdivisions, showing existing features and ideas for development would be helpful in this discussion.
Eight blue or black-line copies of a preliminary plat shall first be submitted for approval at least two weeks prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the commission at which action thereon is desired. Such preliminary plat shall adhere to the following requirements:
(1) 
It shall be drawn to a scale not smaller than one inch to 200 feet, on one or more sheets.
(2) 
It shall contain the following information:
a. 
Name of subdivision, owner, subdivider, surveyor or engineer, date of drawing, number of sheets, north point and scale. If true north is used, method of determination shall be shown.
b. 
Location of proposed subdivision by an inset map at a scale of not less than two inches equal one mile, showing adjoining roads and their names, subdivisions, other landmarks and how proposed roads or streets tie into the present or existing road system.
c. 
The boundary survey or existing survey of record; provided, that such survey shows a closure with an accuracy of not less than one in 5,000, total acreage of subdivided area, number and approximate area and frontage of all building sites, building lines shown to scale with their dimensions existing buildings within the boundaries of the tract, names of owners and their property lines within the boundaries of the tract and adjoining such boundaries.
d. 
All existing, platted and proposed streets, their names and widths; existing utility or other easements, public areas and parking spaces; culverts, drains and watercourses, their names and other pertinent data.
e. 
The conceptual drainage layout, including proposed drainage easements, detention areas and means of transporting the drainage to a well defined open stream or river which is considered natural drainage.
f. 
A cross section showing the proposed street construction, depth and type of base, type of surface, etc.
g. 
A profile or contour map showing the proposed grades for the streets and drainage facilities including elevations of existing and proposed ground surface at all street intersections and at points of major grade change along the centerline of streets together with proposed grade lines connecting therewith.
h. 
Proposed connections with existing sanitary sewers and existing water supply.
i. 
All parcels of land and all easements to be dedicated for public use and the condition of such dedication.
j. 
In cluster subdivisions the required buffer area and other common areas.
[Amended by Ord. of 9-9-2002]
Within 60 days after the receipt thereof the commission shall approve in writing the preliminary plat if it conforms to the requirements of this ordinance; otherwise, it shall be disapproved in writing with reasons given for the disapproval. The reasons for disapproval shall identify deficiencies in the plat which cause the disapproval by reference to specific duly adopted ordinances, regulations or policies and shall generally identify such modifications or corrections as will permit approval of the plat. If only minor changes are required, a conditional approval may be granted, or an extended time may be given the subdivider for submission of revised plans. One copy of the approved plat shall be returned to the subdivider with the conditions of approval attached thereto or noted thereon, and a like copy shall be retained in the commission's files. Approval of a preliminary plat shall be valid for not more than one year, unless extended in appropriate cases by the commission in its discretion.
Approval of a preliminary plat does not constitute a guarantee of approval of the final plat, and no property shall be transferred or offered for sale, nor shall a building permit be issued, on the basis of an approved preliminary plat.
[Amended by Ord. of 9-9-2002]
Subdividers who are creating a minor subdivision (not requiring the construction of a new street or the extension of public utilities and not adversely affecting the development of the remainder, if any, of the parcel from which the new subdivision lots are created) are not required to submit a preliminary plat.