A. 
Before undertaking the preparation of a major subdivision plat, the applicant shall consult with the Commission's staff to discuss the location of proposed major streets, highways, parks, playgrounds, school sites, conservation areas, site-specific planning opportunities and constraints, and other planned public improvements and to determine the zoning regulations and other requirements relating to or affecting the proposed subdivision. Notification of preliminary conference is required to other County divisions such as Parks, Inspections and Enforcement, and Engineering.
B. 
The applicant for a subdivision is encouraged to also consult with the Kent County Public Works Department, the Kent Conservation District, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the fire chief for the respective fire district, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on matters related to proposed facilities for sanitary sewage disposal, stormwater management for quality, quantity, and drainage, and water supply intended to serve the proposed subdivision.
C. 
The purpose of these consultations is to assist the applicant by furnishing information and advice, expedite the application process for the applicant, save him unnecessary expense and promote the best coordination between the plans of the applicant and those of the Kent County Comprehensive Plan and other public agencies.
D. 
The preliminary application must be submitted within six months of the preliminary conference meeting or another preliminary conference will be required and the project must meet all current standards.
A. 
The applicant shall provide a sketch of the subject property showing the proposed scheme for development of the property and other significant information to the Commission's staff at the preliminary conference. Such plan shall be submitted to the Commission's staff at least five days prior to the date of the preliminary conference.
B. 
The sketch plan shall include all information as required by Appendix A, Major Subdivision Plan Requirements, at the end of this chapter.
C. 
The Commission's staff review shall take into consideration the requirements of this chapter, Chapter 205, Zoning, and the Comprehensive Plan and shall pay particular attention to the following:
(1) 
The arrangement, location, and width of streets and their relation to the topography of the site;
(2) 
The arrangement, size and location of lots and proposed structures, if any;
(3) 
Drainage;
(4) 
Sewage disposal and water supply;
(5) 
The relation of the subdivision to the natural features of the site;
(6) 
Community facilities and provision of open space;
(7) 
Protection of water quality;
(8) 
Preservation of trees and historic and cultural resources;
(9) 
The potential further development of adjoining lands which may not yet be subdivided;
(10) 
The general objective of ensuring a durable, harmonious, and appropriate use of the land in accordance with the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan; and
(11) 
The requirements set forth in § 187-18B above pertaining to the sketch plan submission.
A. 
An applicant may submit a sketch plan for any proposed subdivision to the Regional Planning Commission (Commission) for review. A submission to the Commission is encouraged, but not required.
B. 
For proposed subdivisions located within the growth zone, as identified by the Kent County Comprehensive Plan, in which the applicant has chosen to submit a sketch plan, the public hearing process described in Article V, § 187-21, below shall take place at the sketch plan process rather than the preliminary plan stage. The submission requirement of at least 30 days prior to the date of the Commission public hearing shall remain in effect.
[Added 1-16-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02]
C. 
The submission of a sketch plan does not constitute submission of an application for approval of a subdivision. However, it does represent a basis for an informal discussion between the Commission and the landowner or applicant, which may prove to be valuable to the prospective applicant in formulating plans, documents, and other submissions for preliminary plan approval. In the event that an applicant submits a sketch plan, the following shall apply:
(1) 
The applicant shall submit the required fees, application, a sketch plan checklist, an electronic copy of the plan, and 10 copies of the sketch plan to the Department at least 30 days prior to the Commission meeting at which the plan is to be reviewed.
(2) 
The sketch plans shall be prepared by a Delaware registered professional land surveyor, registered professional architect, registered landscape architect, certified planner, or professional engineer (adherence to design discipline registration shall be observed) at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 100 feet unless approved by the Planning Director or designee and on a twenty-four-inch-by-thirty-six-inch sheet.
(3) 
In addition to furnishing copies of the sketch plan, the landowner or applicant shall identify the name, address, and telephone number of the holder of legal title to the land involved, the nature of the landowner's interest in the land (whether holder of legal or equitable title or otherwise), and the name, address, and telephone number of the agent, if any. The applicant shall provide such information in writing.
(4) 
The Commission shall review the sketch plan, and the Planning Director or designee shall indicate any and all review comments pertaining to the plan to the applicant by written correspondence per the standards of the Commission.
(5) 
The Commission's review shall take into consideration the requirements of this chapter, Chapter 205, Zoning, and the Comprehensive Plan and shall pay particular attention to the items listed in § 187-18C.
(6) 
Applicants for proposed subdivisions located outside of the growth zone, as identified by the Kent County Comprehensive Plan, are still encouraged to submit sketch plans, but the public hearing process will take place at the preliminary plan stage.
D. 
Neither the Commission nor the applicant shall be bound by the sketch plan; however, the subsequent preliminary plan must conform to the sketch plan in concept and substance.