Section 24.10.020 General procedure.

(1) A division of a lot, tract or parcel into two parcels for which no construction of public improvements is required is a simple division.

(2) Simple divisions may have an administrative review by city departments to determine if the parcels in the division have adequate public facilities for the intended use of the property and that the division otherwise is in compliance with all city code requirements.

(3) If the administrative review of the plat of survey or other evidence of a division of land determines that the division requires provision of public facilities or otherwise is not in compliance with all city code requirements, the owner shall be informed that the division is in violation of city standards and that no development permits will be issued until a subdivision plat has been prepared, reviewed, approved and recorded pursuant to this chapter.

(1) A subdivision plat that has three or more lots in which no construction of public improvements is required is considered to be a minor subdivision. A subdivision which requires public improvements or grading may be classified as a minor subdivision by the planning director based upon a finding that the public improvement or grading requirements are so minor in scale that no public interest would be served by submittal, review and approval of a preliminary plat.

(2) The subdivider is not required to submit a preliminary plat; however, if, during the review of the final plat the city staff, the planning and zoning commission or the city council determines a need for more information, submission of specific material that would have been a part of a preliminary plat may be required.

(1) A subdivision plat that is not a minor subdivision because it requires construction of public improvements is considered to be a major subdivision.

(2) The subdivider shall comply with the submittal and review requirements for both preliminary and final plats.

(3) A final plat that conforms to an approved preliminary plat does not require review and approval by the planning and zoning commission.

(1) An auditor’ s plat is a plat required by the county auditor in accordance the provisions of sections 354.13 through 354.17 of the 2001 Code of Iowa because either:

(A) An existing subdivision plat or plat of survey was not in compliance with the requirements of sections 354.4 and 354.6 of the 2001 Code of Iowa; or

(B) The descriptions of one or more parcels within a tract are not sufficiently certain and accurate for the purpose of assessment and taxation.

(2) The auditor may submit an auditor’ s plat for review and approval. If the auditor’ s plat is found to comply with the standards for surveys in the chapter 355 of the 2001 Code of Iowa, it shall be approved pursuant to section 354.15 of the Code; however, the approval may reserve the city’ s right to deny issuance of any permits or certificates if the auditor’ s plat does not conform with the standards of this chapter for subdivisions including adequate public improvements required to serve developed property.

a. A subdivider may request a preplat conference prior to preparation of materials to be submitted for review and approval of a subdivision plat.

b. The purpose of a preplat conference is to acquaint the city staff and utility company representatives with the proposed subdivision and to acquaint the subdivider with the procedures and standards of the city and the utility companies.

c. If a preplat conference is requested, the planning director shall set the time and place and send meeting notices to representatives of the appropriate city departments and public utility providers as well as to the subdivider and the subdivider’ s engineer and/or land surveyor.

d. Sketch plan. The subdivider may provide a sketch plan showing the location of the proposed subdivision, the general location of any existing and proposed streets and other improvements and the arrangement of lots and land uses in relation to the surrounding area. (Ord. 2001-0849)