Chapter 15.64
SHORT SUBDIVISION
Sections:
15.64.010 Submitting short subdivision application, related materials, and fee.
15.64.020 Determination of completeness.
15.64.030 Department of Transportation notification.
15.64.040 City planner review and recommendation.
15.64.050 Public hearing notice.
15.64.060 Hearing examiner review and decision.
15.64.080 Redivision of short plats prohibited without final plat approval.
15.64.090 Filing and distribution of approved short plats.
15.64.010 Submitting short subdivision application, related materials, and fee.
A. Persons requesting short plat approval must submit the following to the clerk-treasurer, in accordance with Section 15.08.060:
1. A completed short subdivision application form, provided by the city;
2. Ten (10) copies of the plat, with appropriate additional information specified by the application form;
3. An application fee (see current fee schedule).
B. The clerk-treasurer will forward items in subsections A1—2 above to the city planner. (Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.020 Determination of completeness.
A. The city planner will notify the applicant that the application has been received and that it is complete or incomplete, in accordance with Section 15.08.070.
B. The city planner will forward one copy of the proposed short plat to the:
1. Utilities superintendent;
2. Fire chief;
3. Superintendent of schools;
4. Police chief; and
5. Other agencies, as appropriate.
C. The city planner will request the individuals listed in subsection B above to return their comments on the short subdivision within fifteen (15) days. (Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.030 Department of Transportation notification.
A. Whenever the city receives an application for the approval of a short subdivision that is located adjacent to the right-of-way of a state highway, the city planner must give written notice of the application, including a legal description of the short subdivision and a location map, to the District Manager of the Department of Transportation.
B. The city planner will request the District Manager to submit within fourteen (14) days any information relevant to the effect of the proposed short subdivision upon the legal access to the state highway, the carrying capacity of the state highway, and the safety of users of the state highway.
C. The city planner will consider the information from the District Manager when reviewing applications for short subdivisions that are adjacent to state highway rights-of-way. (Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.040 City planner review and recommendation.
A. After a short plat application is complete according to Section 15.08.070, the city planner will make a recommendation and forward it to the hearing examiner.
B. In reviewing the application for recommendation for short plat approval, the city planner will consider the following criteria:
1. Whether the short plat meets applicable zoning and other land use regulatory requirements of the city and state;
2. Whether the proposed short subdivision is already adequately served by sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who walk to and from school and others who may use the sidewalks;
3. Whether the design, shape, size and orientation of the proposed short subdivision are appropriate to the proposed use for which the lots are intended and are compatible with the character of the area in which they are located;
4. The recommendations of the utilities superintendent and other agencies and personnel listed in Section 15.64.020B, if they gave recommendations;
5. No short plat covering any land situated in a flood control zone (as provided in Chapter 86.16 RCW) will be approved unless prior written approval from the State Department of Ecology is provided. Construction of protective improvements may be required as a condition of approval, and the improvements will be noted on the approved short plat;
6. Whether easements are provided and conveyed where necessary for utility installation and maintenance, public access, drainage and buffer strip or protective easements;
7. When only a portion of an entire tract is proposed to be short subdivided, how the proposed lots and improvements will eventually relate and coordinate with the entire tract when fully platted.
C. In accordance with Chapter 58.17 RCW, the city planner will also consider:
1. Whether the proposed subdivision is in conformance with the city’s comprehensive plan;
2. Whether appropriate provisions have been made for, but not limited to, the public health, safety and general welfare, for open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and school grounds;
3. Whether sidewalks and other planning features assure safe walking conditions for people who use them, including students who only walk to and from school;
4. Whether capital facilities to be provided by the city can be provided concurrently with the expected development, in accordance with the comprehensive plan;
5. Whether the public interest will be served by the subdivision and dedication;
6. The physical characteristics of the proposed subdivision, including flood, inundation or wetland conditions (which are grounds for disapproval). No plat will be approved if it covers any land situated in a flood control zone as provided in Chapter 86.16 RCW without the prior written approval of the Department of Ecology of the state;
7. Any information provided as a result of compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act. (Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2020: Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.050 Public hearing notice.
Once the city planner has made its recommendation on the short subdivision application, notice of a hearing examiner public hearing will be given in accordance with Section 15.08.110. (Ord. 889 § 1 (App. B) (part), 2019; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.060 Hearing examiner review and decision.
A. Upon receipt of the recommendations from the city planner, the hearing examiner will conduct a public hearing on the short subdivision application, at which it will consider the application, related materials, recommendations from the city planner, comments made at the hearing by the applicant, adjoining property owners, other interested parties, and the criteria listed in Section 15.64.040B and C.
B. Every decision of the hearing examiner must be in writing and must include findings of fact and conclusions to support the decision. (Ord. 889 § 1 (App. B) (part), 2019; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.070 Report of decision.
The hearing examiner must provide a single report stating the decision on the short subdivision in accordance with Sections 15.08.120 and 15.08.130. (Ord. 889 § 1 (App. B) (part), 2019; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.080 Redivision of short plats prohibited without final plat approval.
A. Land contained within a short subdivision as shown on an approved short plat may not be further divided within a period of five years unless a final plat is filed and approved in accordance with procedures established in this chapter (i.e., not more than four parcels can be created within five years without going through the preliminary/final plat process described in Chapters 15.66 and 15.68).
B. If an approved short plat contains fewer than four parcels, however, nothing in subsection A above prevents the owner who filed the short plat from filing an alteration within the five year period to create up to a total of four lots within the original short plat boundaries. (Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.090 Filing and distribution of approved short plats.
A. The applicant must have the mayor or his designee sign the original of any approved short plat.
B. The applicant then must file for record the signed, approved short plat with the Pacific County auditor.
C. The final short plat will not be considered approved until the applicant files it with the Pacific County auditor, in accordance with RCW 58.17.065.
D. One reproducible mylar or equivalent film copy must be furnished to the utilities superintendent.
E. One paper copy must be filed with the Pacific County assessor.
F. Paper copies must also be provided to other agencies as required by the city council. (Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.64.100 Appeals.
An applicant may appeal the decision of the hearing examiner on short plat approval to the Pacific County Superior Court in accordance with Section 15.08.160. (Ord. 889 § 1 (App. B) (part), 2019; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)