Chapter 16.03
PRELIMINARY PLAT
Sections:
16.03.030 General requirements.
16.03.040 Specific requirements.
16.03.050 Preliminary plat approval process.
16.03.010 General provisions.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a process to divide land into 10 or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions. (Ord. C-945 § 2, 2020; Ord. C-656 § 26, 2007)
16.03.020 Applications.
A. Any person seeking to divide or redivide land situated within the City into 10 or more lots for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, unless exempt under this title, shall submit an application to the Director.
B. Prior to filing an application with the City, the applicant is encouraged to attend an informal preapplication meeting to discuss, in general terms, the proposed development, City design standards, design alternatives, environmental review process, and required permits and approval process.
C. A formal preapplication meeting is required in accordance with Chapter 14.03 AHMC.
D. A complete preliminary plat application shall consist of the following:
1. Application form and supplementary forms;
2. A minimum of six copies of the preliminary plat map, prepared in accordance with this chapter;
3. SEPA environmental checklist;
4. Application fees; and
5. Any other information deemed necessary by the Director. (Ord. C-945 § 3, 2020; Ord. C-656 § 27, 2007)
16.03.030 General requirements.
A. The preliminary plat, containing all the information specified in this chapter, shall be prepared and stamped by a registered land surveyor of the state of Washington.
B. All mapped information shall be prepared in a neat and legible manner in pencil or ink, on high grade 24-inch by 36-inch paper, and at a horizontal scale of one inch equals 50 feet or one inch equals 100 feet and be the same for each sheet. If approved by the Director, an appropriate scale may be used which does not exceed one inch equals 200 feet. A marginal line shall be drawn completely around each sheet, leaving an entirely blank margin of two inches on the left side and one-half inch on the remaining sides.
C. A vicinity sketch at a scale of not more than one inch equals 400 feet shall accompany the preliminary plat. The vicinity sketch shall show all adjacent subdivisions, streets and tract lines and bordering lines of adjacent parcels. It shall show how the streets and alleys in the proposed subdivision may connect with existing and proposed streets and alleys in neighboring subdivisions or unplatted property.
D. The design of plats shall conform to the requirements of all applicable City plans and standards and any official control relating to land use which has been adopted to implement the Airway Heights Comprehensive Plan. In addition:
1. The design, shape, size, and orientation of the lots should be appropriate for the uses for which the divisions are intended, and the character of the area in which they are located.
2. Block dimensions should reflect due regard to the needs of convenient access, public safety, emergency vehicle access, topography, road maintenance, and the provision of suitable sites for land uses planned.
3. Road alignments should be designed with appropriate consideration for existing and planned roads, anticipated traffic patterns, topographic and drainage conditions, public safety, and the proposed use of the land so divided.
4. Where lots of one acre or more in size are created, the Director may require an arrangement of the lots and roads such as to permit a subsequent redivision in conformity with roads or plans adopted by the City.
5. Lots should not be divided by the boundary of the City, zoning designations, or public right-of-way. (Ord. C-656 § 28, 2007)
16.03.040 Specific requirements.
The preliminary plat shall include the following features and information:
A. Present and proposed tract designations or subdivision names, names and addresses of property owners, notations indicating size, scale, north arrow, location of site by section, township, and range, certification of registered land surveyor, and date of preparation.
B. Map Requirements.
1. Boundary lines and dimensions of all proposed lots or tracts;
2. Existing and proposed easements and rights-of-way, including location, width, and purpose;
3. Streets and alleys on and adjacent to the site including name, location, and right-of-way widths;
4. Existing and proposed utilities on and adjacent to the site;
5. Ground elevations, with 20-foot contours if land slope is regular. More detailed mapping may be requested for uneven land or slopes exceeding 10 percent;
6. Proposed lot and block numbers;
7. Legal description, certified by a registered land surveyor;
8. Phasing plan, if applicable;
9. Existing zoning classifications on and adjacent to the site;
10. Approximate location of existing buildings, septic tanks, drainfields, wells, or other improvements and indication of whether such structures are proposed to remain on-site;
11. Approximate location of all natural features such as wooded areas, streams, or drainageways;
12. Minimum building setback lines;
13. Sites, if any, to be reserved, dedicated, or offered for sale for parks, playgrounds, or other public uses. (Ord. C-656 § 29, 2007)
16.03.050 Preliminary plat approval process.
A. Applications for preliminary plats shall be processed in accordance with AHMC Title 14, which includes requirements for public notice and public hearing.
B. The Director or designee shall review all reports, recommendations and comments received and make a written report concerning the proposed subdivision, which includes the following:
1. Whether appropriate provisions are made for, among others, the public health, safety and general welfare, community facilities, open spaces, drainageways, access streets, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, water supplies, sanitary waste disposal, utilities, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and school grounds, and shall consider all other relevant facts, including sidewalks and other planning features, to assure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school; and whether the public interest will be served by the subdivision.
2. The appropriateness of the plat considering the physical characteristics of the site.
3. Whether the proposed subdivision is consistent with applicable zoning ordinances and other land use controls that may exist. (Ord. C-656 § 30, 2007)