A. 
In the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Chapter, it is the intention of the City Council that the principles, standards, and requirements provided for herein shall be minimum requirements for the platting and developing of subdivisions in the City and in its extraterritorial jurisdiction; and, where other provisions of this Code of [or] other Ordinances of the City are more restrictive in their requirements, such other provisions or Ordinances shall control.
B. 
The procedure and standards for the development, layout, and design of subdivisions of land within the corporate limits and within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City are authorized by Article 970a and 974a of REVISED CIVIL STATUTES OF TEXAS. The extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City is now one-half (1/2) mile from the corporate limits. The requirements of this Chapter [Ordinance] shall be extended into any and all areas of extraterritorial jurisdiction.
C. 
The term, “subdivision,” shall be interpreted to mean the division of a parcel of land into three (3) or more lots or tracts for the purpose of transfer of ownership; the dedication of streets, alleys, or easements; or for use for building development–provided that a division of land for agricultural purposes into lots or tracts of five (5) acres or more, and not involving a new street or alley, shall not be deemed to be a subdivision. The term includes resubdivision and, when appropriate to the context, shall relate either to the process of subdividing or to the land subdivided. The terms, “subdivider” and “developer,” are synonymous and are used interchangeably and shall include any person, partnership, firm, association, corporation, and/or any officer, agent, employee, servant, and trustee thereof who does, or participates in the doing of, any act towards the subdivision of land within the intent, scope, and purview, of this chapter [ordinance].
D. 
All property not subdivided into lots, blocks, and streets within the City shall hereafter be laid out under the direction of the City Council, and no other subdivision will be recognized by the City. Prior to the consideration of the plat by the City Council, the City Secretary will check the plat for compliance with these regulations and in consultation with the City Engineer, make recommendations to the City Council.
E. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner, or agent of any owner, to lay out, subdivide, or plat any land into lots, blocks, and streets within the City which has not been laid off, subdivided, and platted according to these regulations.
F. 
No officer or employee of the City shall perform or cause to perform, any work upon any street or in any addition or subdivision of the City, unless all requirements of these regulations have been complied with by the owner of said addition or subdivision.
G. 
The City hereby defines its policy to be that the City will withhold improvements of any nature whatsoever including the maintenance of streets until the final subdivision plat has been approved by the City Council. No improvements shall be begun within the subdivision nor any contracts made until this approval has been given.
H. 
No building, plumbing, mechanical, gas or electrical permit shall be issued by the City for any structure on a lot in a subdivision for which a final plat has not been approved and filed for record, nor for any structure on a lot within a subdivision in which the standards contained herein have not been complied with in full.
I. 
The provisions of this Chapter [Ordinance] shall not be construed to prohibit the issuance of permits for any lots upon which a residence building exists and was in existence prior to adoption of these regulations, nor to prohibit the repair, maintenance, or installation of any street or public utility services for, to, or abutting, any lot, the last recorded conveyance of which prior to adoption of these regulations was by metes and bounds, and/or any subdivision, or lot therein, recorded or unrecorded, which subdivision was in existence prior to the adoption of these regulations.
J. 
Plats or subdivisions which have received preliminary approval by the City Council within one year prior to the effective date of these regulations shall be excepted from the requirements of this Chapter [Ordinance]; provided that the final plat of such subdivision is approved and filed for record within one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of these regulations, or within one year after the approval date of the preliminary plat, whichever is greater.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 1)
The City Council may authorize a variance from these regulations when, in its opinion, undue hardship will result from requiring strict compliance. In granting a variance, the Council shall prescribe only conditions that it deems necessary to or desirable in the public interest. In making the findings hereinbelow required, the Council shall take into account the nature of the proposed use of the land involved, existing uses of land in the vicinity, the number of persons who will reside or work in the proposed subdivisions, and the probable effect of such variance upon traffic conditions and upon the public health, safety, convenience and welfare in the vicinity. No variance shall be granted unless Council finds:
A. 
That there are special circumstances or conditions affecting the land involved such that the strict application of the provisions of this Chapter [Ordinance] would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of his land; and
B. 
That the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant; and
C. 
That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or injurious to other property in the area; and
D. 
That the granting of the variance will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of other land in the area in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter [Ordinance].
Such finding of the City Council, together with the specific facts upon which such findings are based, shall be incorporated into the official minutes of the City Council meeting at which such variance is granted. Variances may be granted only when in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this Chapter [Ordinance] so that the public health, safety and welfare may be secured and substantial justice done. Pecuniary hardship to the subdivider, standing alone, shall not be deemed to constitute undue hardship.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 2)
Prior to the filing of a preliminary plat, the subdivider shall meet with the City Secretary or other official designated by the City Council to familiarize himself with the City’s development regulations and the relationship of the proposed subdivision to the City Comprehensive Plan. At the preliminary conference the subdivider may be represented by his land planner, engineer, or surveyor. Representatives of the Ralls Water and Sewer Department and the Ralls Planning and Zoning Commission shall attend the Preliminary conference.
(Ordinance 1906, ex. A, adopted 6/18/19)
A. 
The subdivider shall cause to be prepared a preliminary plat by a surveyor or engineer in accordance with this Section.
B. 
The subdivider shall file 4 copies of the plat with the City Secretary at least 14 days prior to the date at which formal application for the preliminary plat approval is made to the City Council.
C. 
Such plat shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $25.00 per plat, plus $1.00 per lot, or $2.00 per acre for commercial or industrial areas not subdivided into lots. No action by the City Council shall be valid until the filing fee has been paid. This fee shall not be refunded should the subdivider fail to make formal application for preliminary plat approval or should the plat be disapproved.
D. 
Formal application for preliminary plat approval shall be made by the subdivider in writing to the City Council at an official meeting, not less than 14 days after filing the preliminary plat with the City Secretary.
E. 
Approval of the preliminary plat, if granted, shall be binding for not longer that [than] 6 months after the date of approval of the preliminary plat unless the final plat has been approved and recorded within the 6 month period.
F. 
The plat shall be drawn to a scale of 100 feet to 1 inch, and shall show on it or on accompanying document the following:
(1) 
The proposed name of the subdivision.
(2) 
North point, scale and date.
(3) 
The names and addresses of the subdivider and of the engineer or surveyor.
(4) 
The tract designation, approximate acreage, and other description according to the real estate records of Crosby County and designation of the proposed uses of land within the subdivision.
(5) 
The boundary line (accurate in scale) of the tract to be subdivided.
(6) 
Contours with intervals of five (5) feet or less, referred to sea-level datum.
(7) 
The names of adjacent subdivisions or the names of record owners of the adjoining parcels of unsubdivided land.
(8) 
The location, widths, and names of all existing or platted streets or other public ways within or adjacent to the tract, existing permanent buildings, and other important features, such as section lines, political subdivisions or corporate lines.
(9) 
All parcels of land intended to be dedicated for public use or reserved in the deeds for the use of all property owners in the proposed subdivision. Building setback lines shall also be shown.
(10) 
A topography and drainage map of plat. Also incoming drainage rational formula showing frequency concentration time and runoff factor and quantity.
(11) 
The layout and widths of proposed streets, alleys, and easements, including lot and block identification and street names.
(12) 
The location, size, and approximate depth of all existing utilities shall be shown.
(13) 
The proposed plan for location and size of utility lines to be constructed in the subdivision.
(14) 
The following certificate should be placed on the Preliminary Plat:
APPROVED FOR PREPARATION OF FINAL PLAT
_______________________
Mayor
_____________
Date
G. 
The conditional approval of the Preliminary Plat by the City Council does not constitute in any manner the acceptance of the subdivision nor the improvements placed therein, but is merely an authorization to proceed with the preparation of the Final Plat. The action of the City Council shall be noted on two (2) copies of the Preliminary Plat, referenced and attached to any conditions determined. One (1) copy shall be returned to the developer and the other copy retained as a permanent record of the City.
H. 
No construction work shall begin on the proposed improvements in the proposed subdivision prior to approval of the Final Plat by the City Council.
I. 
Within thirty (30) days after the preliminary plat is formally filed, the Council shall conditionally approve or disapprove such plat or conditionally approve it with modifications.
J. 
A copy of the preliminary plat shall be submitted to the Ralls Water and Sewer Department and an additional copy shall be submitted to the Ralls Planning and Zoning Commission for review and comment by both prior to approval by the City Council.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 4; Ordinance 1906, ex. A, adopted 6/18/19)
A. 
Four (4) copies, and one (1) reproducible copy of the final plat shall be submitted by the subdivider only after all changes and alterations shown on the preliminary plat have been made. Final plats shall be filed with the City Secretary at least 14 days prior to the City Council meeting at which approval is requested.
B. 
Such plat shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $25.00 per plat, plus $1.00 per lot, or $2.00 per acre for commercial or industrial areas not subdivided into lots. No action by the City Council shall be valid until the filing fee has been. paid. This fee shall not be refunded should the subdivider fail to make formal application for final plat approval or should the plat be disapproved.
C. 
Formal application for final plat approval shall be made by the subdivider in writing to the City Council at an official meeting, not less that [than] 14 days after filing the final plat with the City Secretary.
D. 
The final plat shall be drawn to a scale of 100 feet to the inch, and shall, in addition to all requirements for the preliminary plat, show on it, or be accompanied by, the following:
(1) 
The exact location, dimensions, name and description of all existing or recorded streets, alleys, reservations, easements, or other public rights-of-way within the subdivision, intersecting or contiguous with its boundary or forming such boundary, with accurate dimensions, bearing or deflecting angles and radii, area, and central angle, degree of curvature, tangent distance and length of all curves where appropriate.
(2) 
The exact location, dimensions, description and name of all proposed streets, alleys, drainage structures, parks, other public areas, reservations, easements or other rights-of-way, blocks, lots, and other sites within the subdivision with accurate dimensions, bearing or deflecting angles with radii, area, and central angles, degree of curvature, tangent distance and length of all curves where appropriate.
(3) 
The accurate location, material, and approximate size of all monuments.
(4) 
Written approval from the City on plans and specifications for water, sewer, paving and drainage.
(5) 
All deed restrictions that are to be filed with the plat shall be shown on or filed separately with the plat.
(6) 
Statement that all taxes have been paid up to current date and for all previous years.
(7) 
Two copies of final plat showing a plan and profile of proposed sanitary and storm sewers, with grades and pipe sizes indicated. Plan shall bear the seal and signature of an engineer.
(8) 
Two copies of final plat showing a plan of the proposed water-distribution system showing pipe sizes and the location of valves and fire hydrants. Plan shall bear the seal and signature of an engineer.
(9) 
Two (2) sets of plans and specifications for paving and drainage, which have been prepared by an engineer.
(10) 
Owner’s acknowledgement of the dedication to public use of all streets, alleys, and other public places shown on such final plat.
(11) 
A statement from the City Council that the preliminary plat has been approved by such Council.
(12) 
A certification by the surveyor or engineer, responsible for the preparation of the final plat and supporting data, attesting to its accuracy.
(13) 
A waiver of claim for damages against the City occasioned by the establishment of grades or the alteration of the surface of any portion of existing streets and alleys to conform to the grades established in the subdivision.
E. 
If desired by the subdivider and approved by the Council, the final plat may constitute only that portion of the approved preliminary plat which he proposes to record and develop. However, such portion shall conform to all the requirements of this Chapter [Ordinance].
F. 
Within thirty (30) days after the final plat is formally filed, the Council shall approve or disapprove such plat. If the final plat is disapproved, the Council shall inform the subdivider in writing of the reasons at the time such action is taken.
G. 
After the final plat has been finally approved and the subdivider has constructed all the required improvements and such improvements have been approved, and a maintenance bond filed as hereinafter provided; or after the plat has been finally approved and the subdivider has filed an escrow deposit sufficient to pay for the costs of all improvements as determined by the City in lieu of completing construction, the Council shall upon written consent of the subdivider cause the final plat to be recorded with the County Clerk of Crosby County.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 5)
A. 
Property shall not be resubdivided which has been previously platted by a common dedication except with the consent of all directly affected property owners.
B. 
The replat of the subdivision shall meet all the requirements for a new subdivision that may be pertinent, as provided herein. It shall show the existing property being resubdivided. No preliminary plat will be required on replats.
C. 
The consent of all utility companies that provide service to the area being resubdivided must be obtained.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 6)
Upon completion of all improvements in accordance with City specifications and standards, and their acceptance by the City, the developer or his contractor shall furnish the City with a maintenance bond executed by a corporate surety holding a permit from the State of Texas to act as surety or other surety acceptable to the City. The amount shall equal ten (10) percent of the contract cost of all improvements and shall be in effect one (1) year from date of completion and acceptance by the City.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 7)
If a proposed subdivision is located beyond the drainage area of the sewage collection system or beyond the area of the water distribution system the subdivider shall be required to furnish, with his final plat, satisfactory evidence, including (but without limitation) the results of soil tests and borings, and statements from local state health authorities, water engineers and other proper officials, that water satisfactory for human consumption may be obtained from surface or subsurface water sources on the land and that soil conditions are such that satisfactory sewage disposal can be provided by the use of approved septic tanks or similar devices.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 8)
A. 
General
(1) 
The subdivision shall conform to the Comprehensive Plan of the City.
(2) 
Each lot shall front upon a public street.
(3) 
Survey monuments shall be placed at all corners of boundary lines of a subdivision.
(4) 
The City shall specify any areas required for the allocation of parks and other public spaces that are essential to the proper development of the area.
(5) 
All services for utilities shall be made available for each lot in such a manner that it will not be necessary to disturb the curb, gutter, street pavement, or drainage structures when connections are made.
(6) 
The developer shall furnish the City with one set of “as-built” plans for all paving, drainage structures, water mains, and sewer mains within sixty days after completion of construction.
(7) 
Block lengths and widths shall be provided at such intervals as to best serve traffic adequately and to meet existing streets, or to comply with customary subdivision practices.
(8) 
Lots shall be at least 140 feet deep and shall be at least 75 feet wide. In case of irregularly shaped lots, the minimum width shall be measured at the front building line.
(9) 
All utility lines that pass under a street or alley shall be installed before the street or alley is paved.
B. 
STREETS
(1) 
Collector streets shall have a right-of-way width of sixty (60) feet and a paving width of thirty-seven (37) feet. Minor streets shall have a right-of-way width of fifty (50) feet and a paving width of twenty-seven (27) feet. Paving width is determined from back of curb to back of curb.
(2) 
Existing streets in adjoining areas shall be continued, and shall be at least as wide as such existing streets and in alignment therewith.
(3) 
Where adjoining areas are not subdivided, the arrangement of streets in the subdivision shall make provision for the proper projection of streets into such unsubdivided areas.
(4) 
Street jogs with centerline offsets of less than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet shall be avoided.
(5) 
Half streets shall be prohibited.
(6) 
Street intersections shall be as nearly at right angles as practicable.
(7) 
Dead-end streets shall be prohibited except as short stubs to permit future expansion.
(8) 
Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed four hundred (400) feet in length, and shall have a minimum right-of-way radius of fifty (50) feet.
(9) 
Curbs shall be installed by the subdivider on both sides of all interior streets, and on the subdivision side of all streets forming part of the boundary of the subdivision.
(10) 
Names of new streets shall not duplicate or cause confusion with the names of existing streets, unless the new streets are a continuation of or in alignment with existing streets, in which case names of existing streets shall be used.
(11) 
Street lights shall be installed by the subdivider at all street intersections and at all adjacent intersections.
(12) 
Street name signs shall be installed by the City at the developer’s expense at all intersections within or abutting the subdivision.
(13) 
All street improvements shall be in accordance with the standard specifications and construction details of the City.
(14) 
All street improvements will be accomplished at the expense of and by the developer.
C. 
ALLEYS
Alleys shall have a minimum width of fifteen (15) feet. The whole alley shall be paved. Alleys shall be constructed in accordance with standard street specifications and construction details of the City.
D. 
UTILITY EASEMENTS
Easements at least ten (10) feet wide, five (5) feet on each side of the rear lot lines or side lines, shall be provided wherever necessary for utilities.
E. 
SIDEWALKS
Sidewalks when required shall be concrete and have a width of not less than four (4) feet and thickness of not less that four (4) inches. Sidewalks shall be constructed one (1) foot from the property line within the street right-of-way.
F. 
PARKING AREA
Adequate off-street paved parking areas shall be provided for lots set aside or planned for business uses.
G. 
LOT MARKERS
Lot markers shall be one-half (1/2) inch reinforcing bar, eighteen (18) inches long, or approved equal, and shall be placed at all corners flush with the ground, or countersunk if necessary, in order to avoid being disturbed.
H. 
DRAINAGE INSTALLATIONS
(1) 
An adequate storm sewer system consisting of inlets, pipes and other underground and aboveground drainage structures with approved outlets shall be constructed where the runoff of stormwater and the prevention of erosion cannot be accomplished satisfactorily by surface drainage facilities. The subdivider shall submit data and plans for drainage facilities as directed by the City and under policies for storm drainage installation for the City.
(2) 
Underground storm drains shall be designed to accommodate a five-year frequency storm with adequate overload relief for a 25-year storm. Design of all bridges, culverts, and open channels are to be based on a 25-year frequency.
I. 
WATER SYSTEM
(1) 
Water system extensions shall be designed to provide for a domestic supply of at least 250 gallons per capita per day, delivered at a minimum pressure of 42 pounds per square inch.
(2) 
All mains installed within a subdivision must extend to the borders of the subdivision, as required for future extensions of the system, regardless of whether or not such extensions are required for service within the subdivisions.
(3) 
Fire hydrants shall be provided at locations such that all areas of development are located within a 500-foot radius from a fire hydrant and served by a six-inch or larger main.
(4) 
No more than 30 3/4" service connections shall be served from any 4-inch main.
(5) 
Two (2) inch mains shall only be permitted in dead-end locations not subject to future extensions and shall serve no more that six (6) 3/4" service connections.
(6) 
All water system extensions shall be financed in accordance with the policies of the Rails Water and Sewer Department, but shall be constructed in accordance with the regulations and standards contained in this Chapter [Ordinance].
(7) 
All water system installations shall be constructed to city design standards.
J. 
SEWER SYSTEM
(1) 
No sewer lateral shall be smaller than six (6) inches in diameter. All sewers shall be designed with hydraulic slopes sufficient to give mean velocities when flowing full or half full of not less than two (2) feet per second, nor more than five (5) feet per second. Manholes shall be constructed at all changes in grade, alignment or size of sewer and at all intersections of other sewers, except service sewers.
(2) 
All sewer mains installed within a subdivision must extend to the borders of the subdivision, as required for future extensions of the collection system, regardless of whether or not such extensions are required for service within the subdivision.
(3) 
All sewer system extensions shall be financed in accordance with the policies of the Ralls Water and Sewer Department, but shall be constructed in accordance with the regulations and standards contained in this Chapter [Ordinance].
(4) 
All sewer system installations shall be constructed to city design standards.
(1980 Code, ch. 8, sec. 9)