Chapter 16.16
SHORT PLATS AND SHORT SUBDIVISIONS
Sections:
16.16.020 Administrator’s duties.
16.16.030 Application and fees.
16.16.040 Application and contents.
16.16.060 Subdivision review committee.
16.16.120 Resubdivision prohibited.
16.16.010 Applicability.
Every division of land into four or less lots, plots, sites, parcels, or tracts, for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership within the incorporated areas of the city shall proceed in compliance with this chapter; provided that contiguous parcels of land in the same ownership and having common boundaries shall be presumed to be a single parcel in determining whether or not the division of land comprises a subdivision. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.020 Administrator’s duties.
The administrator is vested with authority to summarily approve or disapprove a short plat proposed under the guidelines set forth in this chapter. The administrator is responsible for administering the provisions of this chapter and may prepare and require the use of such forms as are essential to their administration. When the administrator determines that the proposed short plat contains the required elements and data to furnish a basis for approval or disapproval, the administrator shall affix a file number and date of receipt to the application and within ten working days distribute the short plat application to the city engineer for further review. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.030 Application and fees.
Any person desiring to divide land into four or less lots for the purpose of lease or sale shall file with the administrator a completed application for short plat approval accompanied by a filing fee of two hundred dollars which shall be paid at the time of application submittal. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.040 Application and contents.
A. The application shall be submitted to the administrator on forms to be provided by city hall along with all accompanying fees established by GMC Section 16.16.030.
B. A complete application shall include:
1. Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;
2. Certification by the applicant showing that all contiguous land in which there is any interest by reason of ownership, contract for purchase by agreement, or option by any person, firm or corporation in any manner connected with the development;
3. Existing zoning classification;
4. Square footage of each lot or parcel. Each lot or parcel shall have sufficient footage to satisfy minimum zoning or health requirements, and square footage for easements shall not be included in the lot size computation;
5. All existing and proposed buildings and structural improvements, drainage channels and the general direction of water flow;
6. Water supply source for each lot, including fire hydrant locations;
7. Method of sanitary sewage disposal, and if septic tanks are to be used, preliminary percolation tests must be submitted. The percolation test shall be conducted in accordance with Klickitat County health department regulations;
8. Topographic, contours sufficient to show slope of the parcel to be divided;
9. A short plat drawing shall be submitted on reproducible mylar having minimum dimensions of eighteen inches by twenty-four inches and containing the following information:
a. A legal description of the short subdivision and all lots, tracts, and parcels therein,
b. Legal descriptions of private roads and easements,
c. Date, scale, and north arrow,
d. Properly dimensioned boundary lines of the tract to be divided and of each lot therein,
e. Number assigned to each lot,
f. Location and width of any public service, utility or easements,
g. Location and size of closest utilities considered for service to the site,
h. Boundaries of all lands reserved in the deed for common use,
i. The map and legal descriptions included on the face of the plat shall be prepared and certified by a registered land surveyor, and
10. Any additional information required by the administrator and/or city engineer including a vicinity sketch, encumbrances on the land, maintenance agreements, etc. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.050 Approval.
The administrator or his designee may review and approve a short subdivision when all of the following conditions exist:
A. Creation of sites are consistent with applicable zoning and health regulations;
B. The proposal is consistent with the Goldendale comprehensive plan;
C. A proposed short plat is not located in a regulated critical area;
D. No dedication or improvements are required;
E. The proposed short subdivision does not create a building site substantially smaller than the predominant lot size in the immediate area;
F. No conditions, covenants or other special considerations are required. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.060 Subdivision review committee.
The subdivision review committee, may approve or conditionally approve all short subdivisions which do not qualify for outright approval by the administrator but which meet the minimum requirements of the city subdivision ordinance and other applicable standards; and shall deny short subdivisions which fail to meet such minimum requirements or which are in the judgment of the subdivisions committee detrimental to other properties or detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.070 Time limitation.
Within thirty days after filing of a complete application, the administrator shall approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the proposed short subdivision and shall immediately notify the applicant in writing. If the administrator disapproves the proposed short plat and short subdivision he shall so notify the applicant and the subdivision review committee in writing of the specific reasons for his disapproval. The subdivision review committee shall, within fifteen days from the issuance of such notice, act in accordance with GMC Section 16.16.060 and shall notify the applicant in writing of their action. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.080 Filing—Dedication.
When the short subdivision is approved the subdivider shall transmit the final short plat, including such instruments as are necessary to effect any dedications, to the county auditor for recording. All dedications shall be noted on the face of the short plat. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.090 Appeals.
Any decision by administrator or subdivision review committee may be appealed in writing to the planning commission by the applicant or any interested party within ten days after notice of decision of the administrator or the subdivision committee. The planning commission shall act on appeal within thirty days after receipt of the notice of appeal and shall approve, conditionally approve or disapprove a short subdivision when not acted upon or denied by the administrator or the subdivision review committee within the time limits specified by GMC Section 16.16.070. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.100 Council action.
Any decision by the planning commission relative to short subdivisions may be appealed to the council by the applicant or any interested party within ten days after notice of the decision by the planning commission. The council shall, at its next regular meeting, set the date for consideration of the appeal at a public meeting. In reviewing an appeal, the council shall consider all matters submitted by the administrator, the subdivision review committee and the planning commission, together with such other evidence as it deems relevant and shall either affirm or reverse the planning commission’s decision. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.110 Design standards.
All short subdivisions shall conform to Chapter 16.24 GMC. The administrator, subdivision review committee or planning commission may impose the following requirements:
A. Lots created by a short subdivision shall not be of a size which is out of character with recommendations of the comprehensive plan.
B. Dedication of utility easements and right-of-way shall be by separate instruments prepared by the city attorney in favor of and accepted by the city and the county.
C. Proof of adequate water supply and sewage disposal shall be provided for each lot or parcel.
D. There shall be installed such street and sidewalk improvements, water, sewer, electrical and telephone, utility lines, street landscaping, fire hydrants and other improvements as are deemed necessary.
E. A survey of all short subdivisions shall be conducted by or under the supervision of a registered land surveyor. The surveyor shall certify on the short plat that it is a true and correct representation of the lands actually surveyed. All surveys shall conform to standard practices and principles for land surveying. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)
16.16.120 Resubdivision prohibited.
Land within a short plat which has been approved within five years immediately preceding, may not be further divided until a final plat has been approved and filed for record pursuant to Chapter 16.16 GMC. (Ord. 1259 §2(part), 1999)