A. 
It is highly recommended and encouraged that anyone wishing to subdivide or resubdivide land begin by following the preliminary subdivision proposals.
B. 
Whenever any subdivision or resubdivision is proposed to be made and before any streets are constructed or contract for sale or an offer to sell any lot in such subdivision or resubdivision shall have been negotiated, and before any permit for the erection of a structure shall be granted, the subdividing owner or agent shall apply, in writing, on the form prescribed, to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval of such subdivision or resubdivision. After said subdivision or resubdivision has been approved and/or recorded, the subject tract shall not be further divided into one or more building lots without the prior resubdivision approval of this Commission.
C. 
Before a subdivision or resubdivision is made the applicant should become familiar with these regulations and those related to such as contained in the Town Zoning and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations.
D. 
Subdivisions may be developed, upon approval, in a conventional form or open space form of subdivision.
A. 
Pre-application conference. An applicant should review with the Town Land Use Office staff in a preliminary and informal manner any proposal for subdivision or resubdivision prior to submission of a preliminary and/or formal application.
[Amended 5-10-2021]
(1) 
The purpose for using the preliminary procedure is to look in more detail at the proposal and provide guidance to the subdivider to identify areas of concern or further study, so as to minimize delay, expense and inconvenience to the public, the applicant, and the Commission upon the future receipt, if any, of a formal application for subdivision.
(2) 
During informal discussions, the applicant may submit or the Town staff may request such information, plans, and maps as may lead to non-binding recommendations.
B. 
Recommended preliminary layout procedure. The Commission strongly recommends any proposed subdivision or resubdivision of three or more lots to follow the preliminary procedure.
C. 
Presentation of the preliminary plan shall not constitute "formal" application within the meaning of Title 8, Chapter 126, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and the Commission's review of said preliminary plan and its comments, if any, shall not be deemed to be the official "action" or "decision" within the meaning of said title and chapter.
D. 
The preliminary layout design shall include a rendition of a conventional subdivision design, for all proposed subdivisions, as well as an open space subdivision design, if six lots or more are proposed. The submission of both designs will allow the Commission to recommend which design best suits the property and recommend which design should be presented in the formal subdivision application. Required open space dedication shall ordinarily be a minimum of 20% of the property under consideration for a conventional subdivision plan and 50% for an open space subdivision plan.
A. 
The applicant shall provide a preliminary plan conforming to the Ashford Zoning and Subdivision Regulations and the Ashford Public Improvement Specifications.
[Amended 5-10-2021]
B. 
The preliminary plan shall show existing conditions, the proposed road, and lot layout of the subdivision. The preliminary plan shall show at least the following information, with the understanding that more detailed preliminary plan discussions could result in minor to substantial changes in the plan. The preliminary plan should encompass the overall tract, even if only part is being proposed for subdivision. The submission of a preliminary plan does not alter the requirements and procedures of a final plan. The preliminary plan of a proposed subdivision or resubdivision should be presented in a legible format and show:
(1) 
The subdivision or resubdivision name, boundaries, North point, date (word and graphic), Assessor's map, block and lot number of the original parcel, scale, legend and title "Preliminary Plan";
(2) 
The names and contact information of the record owner and the applicant and the name and contact information of the designer, engineer, or surveyor;
(3) 
Acreage and zoning district;
(4) 
The existing and proposed lines of streets, ways, easements and any public areas within the development in a general manner;
(5) 
The proposed system of drainage, including adjacent existing natural waterways, in a general manner;
(6) 
The approximate boundary lines of proposed lots, with approximate location and dimensions;
(7) 
The names, approximate locations, and widths of existing adjacent streets;
(8) 
The topography of the land in a general manner;
(9) 
Principal wooded areas, any ledge outcrops and existing stone walls and fences within the subdivision, and existing trails;
(10) 
Location and limits of areas subject to potential flooding; boundaries of any flood hazard areas and floodways and the base flood elevation data thereof; and the lowest floor elevations that would be applicable for a building on any lot in the flood hazard area;
(11) 
Conceptual building area envelopes (potential areas for house, driveway, septic system, well, etc.) and potential areas to be retained as public or private open space;
(12) 
Soil delineations and symbols as per the current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey for Windham County, Connecticut;
(13) 
Abutting dedicated open space and conservation or scenic easement areas, if any;
(14) 
The location and approximate dimensions and area of all property proposed to be set aside for open space; and
(15) 
The location, approximate dimensions, and approach for meeting the firefighting water supply requirement of the Ashford Zoning Regulations, as may be amended.