Chapter 17.24
FINAL PLATS
Sections:
17.24.010 Preapplication procedure.
17.24.020 Application requirements.
17.24.040 Procedure after approval.
17.24.050 Effect of recordation.
17.24.060 Amendment or vacation.
17.24.005 Purpose.
The intent of this chapter is to provide the applicant and the City administration clear expectations with regard to the acceptance of completed work within preliminary plats, and the process through which the preliminary plat is transitioned to a final plat, including the rights and responsibilities conferred upon the recording of a final plat. Application materials for final plats proposed pursuant to this chapter shall reflect the elements necessary to determine the proposal complies with the design requirements and regulations of the City of Ferndale. (Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012)
17.24.010 Preapplication procedure.
Prior to submission of a final plat application, any person desiring to subdivide land shall submit to the Subdivision Administrator copies of a final plat preapplication containing all the final plat requirements of FMC 17.24.020, except for the Director of Public Works statement and recommendation, which shall be processed as follows:
A. The Subdivision Administrator shall transmit the original of the proposed final plat to the Director of Public Works, for confirmation that the survey data is accurate. The Public Works Director shall also determine whether a statement of approval for streets, alleys and other rights-of-way, design of bridges, sewage, stormwater and water systems, and other public structures is appropriate, and within 30 days shall return to the Subdivision Administrator a statement of approval or denial for public infrastructure, as well as a recommendation for approval or disapproval of the proposed final plat.
B. If the Director of Public Works statement of approval as to the survey data, the layout of streets, alleys and other rights-of-way, design of bridges, sewage, stormwater and water systems, and satisfactory completion of all physical improvements is obtained, the Subdivision Administrator shall forward the recommendation to the subdivider who may at their option either apply for final plat approval or, in the event of an unfavorable recommendation or recommendations, modify the proposed final plat and reinitiate the preapplication procedures of this section anew with a view to obtaining favorable recommendations prior to submitting an application for final plat approval within the time limitation specified by FMC 17.20.090. Changes or modifications of a proposed final plat shall require a re-initiation of the preapplication procedures of this section prior to submitting an application for final plat approval. (Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)
17.24.020 Application requirements.
After having fulfilled all of the conditions of preliminary plat approval and within the time limitation specified by FMC 17.20.090, any person desiring to subdivide land shall submit, together with the final plat application fee, a final plat application to the Subdivision Administrator which shall demonstrate compliance with the conditions of the preliminary plat as well as conformance with the design requirements of this title and the Ferndale Development Standards, as further described by FMC 17.32.060 and 17.32.065, and application materials provided by the City. (Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)
17.24.030 Review procedure.
A. Final plat applications shall be processed pursuant to FMC 14.09.030, Process 1 – Administrative decision.
B. No final plat may be approved unless the Public Works Director and Community Development Director make a formal written finding of fact that the proposed subdivision is in conformity with all applicable zoning ordinance and other land use controls which may exist. (Ord. 2018 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)
17.24.040 Procedure after approval.
The Subdivision Administrator shall prepare a Notice of Decision in accordance with FMC 14.15.060, containing any conditions of final plat approval. The applicant shall submit check prints of the final plat, reflecting all conditions of approval, to the Subdivision Administrator for final review and approval. When, in the judgment of the Subdivision Administrator, all conditions of approval have been complied with, the Administrator shall authorize the applicant to prepare at least two copies of the final plat for signatures and recording. Copies of the recorded plat and associated documents shall be returned to the City in a form and manner determined by the Subdivision Administrator. (Ord. 2018 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 1851 § 2, 2014; Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)
17.24.050 Effect of recordation.
Filing of a final plat for record authorizes the sale, lease, offer or advertising for sale or lease of the lots included therein, unless and until the City discovered a misrepresentation or material irregularity in the proceeding justifying the City’s filing of a revocation of its approval specifying the reasons therefor with the county auditor, or unless same is restrained pursuant to RCW 58.17.320. Any lots in a final plat filed for record shall be a valid land use notwithstanding any change in zoning laws for a period of seven years from the date of filing. An approved final plat and final PUD shall be governed by the terms of the final approval thereof, and the statutes, City ordinances, and development regulations in effect at the time of approval for a period of seven years, unless the City finds that a change in conditions creates a serious threat to the public health or safety in the subdivision or final planned unit development. Any dedication, donation or grant as shown on the face of the plat shall be considered, to all intents and purposes, as a quitclaim deed to the donee or donees, grantee or grantees for his, her or their use for the purpose intended by the donors or grantors. (Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1600 § 3, 2010; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)
17.24.060 Amendment or vacation.
Once a plat has been recorded with the county auditor, it can be amended in whole or part or vacated in whole or part in a manner not involving the further division of land by compliance with the procedures of RCW 58.17.215 and 58.17.212, respectively. (Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)
17.24.070 Resubdivisions.
Once a plat has been recorded with the county auditor, it can be amended in whole or part by further division into a greater number of lots than contained in the plat only by compliance with either the short plat or plat provisions of this title and Chapter 58.17 RCW, dependent on the number of further divisions proposed within the land. (Ord. 1734 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1399 § 2, 2006)