§ 66-111. Processes.

(a)

Major subdivision. The procedure for review, consideration, and approval of a major subdivision consists of four separate, required steps. These are:

(1)

Sketch plat;

(2)

Preliminary plat approved by the planning commission and board of commissioners;

(3)

Administrative approval of development plans by the zoning administrator; and

(4)

Final plat approval by the planning commission.

No preliminary plat shall be submitted for review by the planning commission until a sketch plat has been submitted to the planning commission. No final plat shall be submitted for review by the planning commission until a preliminary plat has been submitted to and approved by the planning commission and improvement plans have been approved by the zoning administrator and improvements are installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. A final plat of the major subdivision shall be submitted for review and approved by the planning commission prior to the sale of any lots in the major subdivision.

(b)

Major development. The procedure for review, consideration, and approval of a major development plan, those not involving the subdivision of land, consists of three separate, required steps. These are:

(1)

Sketch plan;

(2)

Development plan approved by the planning commission and board of commissioners; and

(3)

Administrative approval of development plans by the zoning administrator.

No development plan shall be submitted for review by the planning commission until a sketch plan has been submitted to the planning commission. The zoning administrator shall not authorize development to commence until a development plan has been submitted to and approved by the planning commission and board of commissioners, and improvement plans have been approved by the zoning administrator.

(c)

Minor subdivision. Minor subdivisions shall not require planning commission review or approval, nor shall they require the submittal of a sketch plat or preliminary plat. The process for gaining approval of a minor subdivision shall be administrative, by filing with the zoning administrator for approval an application for final plat and demonstrating compliance with the application and improvement requirements of this chapter and the county zoning ordinance.

(d)

Limitations on minor subdivisions. The board of commissioners finds that minor subdivisions provide certain advantages, such as a shorter application process, fewer or no improvement requirements, and less public scrutiny, that tend to favor their use over the filing of major subdivision applications. Given these advantages, the prospect exists that subdividers or successors in interest may seek to further divide a lot previously approved as part of a minor subdivision. Accordingly, no lot which is created as part of a minor subdivision after the effective date of this chapter amendment (Nov. 9. 2004) shall hereafter be further divided except pursuant to the requirements for major subdivisions as established in this chapter. Additionally, no lot which was platted as part of a minor subdivision approved after June 10, 1997, but prior to the effective date of this ordinance amendment, shall be further divided as a minor subdivision if the number of lots within the boundaries of the minor subdivision exceeds five. This shall not preclude a lot owner from subdividing pursuant to the major subdivision requirements of this chapter and the installation of all requirements for major subdivisions specified by this chapter.

When a subdivision plat that would otherwise be considered a minor subdivision is required pursuant to the provisions of this section to be filed as a major subdivision, the planning commission may recommend and the board of commissioners may approve waivers, on a case-by-case basis after application there for and for good cause shown, to all or portions of the requirements of section 66-181 of this chapter. The purpose of this provision is to provide potential for relief to subdividers, as may be determined appropriate by the board of commissioners, who would without relief be required to install improvements for lots no longer owned by the subdivider.

(e)

Minor development. Minor developments shall not require planning commission review or approval, nor shall they require the submittal of a sketch plan or preliminary plan. The process for gaining approval of a minor development shall be administrative, by filing with the zoning administrator for approval an application for minor development plan approval and demonstrating compliance with the application and improvement requirements of this ordinance and the county zoning ordinance.

(Ord. No. 97-08, § 4.1, 6-10-1997; Ord. of 11-9-2004(1), § 6; Ord. of 7-12-05, § 2)