(1) 
Official filing of an application for subdivision with the director shall be preceded by a preliminary review of the proposed subdivision by the planning director and the town engineer.
(2) 
Following the review, the subdivider shall submit an application to the planning director. A subdivider shall submit with the application 15 copies of a preliminary plat showing preliminary plans for streets and other improvements including but not limited to water lines, sewer lines, and drainage. Unless the subdivider requests otherwise, at the time of application the application will be processed simultaneously with applications for rezones of a planned unit development upon the property to be subdivided.
(3) 
Applications shall be processed according to the procedures set forth in Chapter 19.68 CMC, Land Use Permit Process, and the additional procedures established in this article.
(4) 
A preliminary plat shall be approved, disapproved or returned to the applicant for modification or correction within 90 days from date of filing unless the applicant consents to an extension of the time period. If an environmental impact statement is required as provided in RCW 43.21C.030, the 90-day period shall not include the time required for environmental review.
(Ord. 428 § 16.08.016, 1998)
(1) 
Every preliminary plat shall consist of one or more maps together with written data including the following:
(a) 
The name of the proposed subdivision;
(b) 
North point and scale; the location of existing property lines; streets, building, if any; watercourses and all general features;
(c) 
The legal description of the land contained within the subdivision;
(d) 
The names and addresses of all persons, firms and corporations holding interest in the lands, including easement rights and interest;
(e) 
The proposed names, locations, widths and other dimensions of proposed streets, alleys, easements, parks, lots, building lines, if any, and all other information necessary to interpret the plat, including the location of existing utility and access easements which are to remain;
(f) 
The location of streets in adjoining plats and the approximate location of adjoining utilities and proposed extensions into the plat;
(g) 
The names of adjoining plats;
(h) 
The name, address and telephone number and seal of the registered land surveyor who made the survey or under whose supervision it was made;
(i) 
The date of the survey;
(j) 
All existing monuments and markers located by the survey;
(k) 
The zoning classification applicable to the land within the subdivision;
(l) 
The conditions of or the limitations on dedications, if any, including slope rights;
(m) 
Contour intervals as required, based upon town datum.
(2) 
Any plat submitted that covers only a part of the subdivider’s tract shall be accompanied by a sketch showing the proposed future street system in the remainder of the tract so that the street layout of the tract may be considered as a whole.
(3) 
The plat shall comply with the technical requirements of Articles V and VI of this chapter.
(Ord. 428 § 16.08.020, 1998)
If the director determines that the subdivider has met all the application requirements for the preliminary plat and that the preliminary plat contains sufficient elements and data to furnish a basis for its approval or disapproval, the director shall affix a file number and date of receipt to the application and promptly forward three copies of the plat to the town engineer. The director shall also forward a copy of the preliminary plat to each of the following:
(1) 
Skagit County health department;
(2) 
Puget Power;
(3) 
Public works department;
(4) 
Chief, fire department;
(5) 
Skagit County sheriff’s department;
(6) 
Notice of the filing of a preliminary plat of a proposed subdivision located adjacent to the right-of-way of a state highway or within two miles of the boundary of a state or municipal airport shall be given to the Secretary of Transportation. The transportation authority shall respond within 15 days as to the effect that the proposed subdivision will have on the state highway or the state or municipal airport; who shall review the preliminary plat and, within 30 days, furnish the director with a report as to the effect of the proposed subdivision upon the public health, safety, and general welfare, and containing their recommendations for approval or disapproval of the preliminary plat. The reports of the town engineer shall also include a recommendation as to the extent and type of improvements to be provided in dedicated areas and a preliminary estimate of the cost of these improvements.
(Ord. 428 § 16.08.022, 1998)
The planning director shall review the preliminary plat for conformance with the minimum standards of this chapter and the comprehensive plan; consider all comments submitted by affected agencies and recommend approval on condition or disapproval in a report submitted to the town council. The planning director recommendations made by the planning director shall be based on written findings of fact. The final recommendation of the planning director shall be forwarded to the town council prior to its following meeting at which a public hearing shall be held on the preliminary plat. Notification of the public hearing shall be given in accordance with this title.
(Ord. 428 § 16.08.024, 1998)
Pursuant to Chapter 58.17 RCW, upon receipt of the planning director’s recommendations, the town council shall at its next public meeting conduct a public hearing after which it may adopt or reject the recommendations. If after hearing the matter, the town council determines that a change is necessary in the planning director’s or the town engineer’s recommendation, it shall adopt its own recommendations and approve or disapprove the preliminary plat. The town council’s decision shall clearly state any conditions of approval imposed, including dedications and the construction of protective improvements. Town council final action shall be based on written findings of fact. If the preliminary plat is approved, the decision shall include a written finding of fact that the proposed subdivision is in conformity with the applicable provisions of this title.
(Ord. 428 § 16.08.026, 1998)
(1) 
Approval of the preliminary plat shall constitute authorization for the subdivider to develop the subdivision facilities and improvements as required in the approved preliminary plat upon issuance of the final plat. Development shall be in strict accordance with the plans and specifications as prepared or approved by the town engineer and subject to any conditions imposed by the town council.
(2) 
No subdivision requirements which become effective after the approval of a preliminary plat for a subdivision shall apply to such subdivision unless the town council determines that a change in conditions created a serious threat to the public health or safety.
(3) 
Preliminary plat approval is valid for three years.
(Ord. 428 § 16.08.028, 1998)