§ 33-2.32.2. Preliminary plat.

(a)

Purpose and applicability. The preliminary plat is intended to ensure that proposed divisions of land are consistent with adopted plans, policies, and regulations for land use, public facilities, and public services. Preliminary plat approval shall be required prior to approval of the final plat for any major subdivision. If there are no public improvements required, the preliminary and final plats may be processed concurrently.

(b)

Application and procedure.

(1)

The application process overview is shown in Figure 33-2.32.2-2.

(2)

The application, with all materials and information required in the appendix of this UDC, shall be filed with the planning director, who shall review and forward the application to the LURTC for findings and recommendations. When applicable, the planning director shall also forward copies of the application to relevant agencies not represented on the LURTC. Agency comments shall be advisory and do not constitute approval or denial of the application. However, the parish council may address agency comments in its conditions of approval.

(3)

If the preliminary plat does not cover all contiguous land holdings of the applicant, then the applicant must submit a concept plan.

(4)

Notice shall be mailed, published, and posted in accordance with common procedures of this UDC.

(5)

The planning director shall forward a recommendation that incorporates the LURTC findings to the PAB, which shall conduct a public hearing. The planning director shall forward his findings and recommendations and those of the PAB to the parish council.

(6)

The parish council shall conduct a public hearing and, after considering the findings and recommendations of the PAB and planning director, as well as the testimony at the public hearings, shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the preliminary plat application by ordinance.

Figure 33-2.32.2-2. Preliminary Plat Review Process.

(b)

Review criteria . The following review criteria shall be considered when reviewing the preliminary plat:

(1)

Consistency with the comprehensive plan and other applicable planning documents;

(2)

Consistency with existing or proposed zoning of the property;

(3)

Existing or proposed availability of adequate facilities and services;

(4)

Suitability of the site for the proposed development;

(5)

Compatibility of development with existing and planned land use patterns;

(6)

Compatibility of the development with the neighborhood norm (as defined in this UDC);

(7)

Whether the proposed development is premature as evidenced by: the lack of adequate public facilities within a reasonable distance to the site; or extraordinary service delivery costs due to the remote location or poor access to the site;

(8)

Whether proposed lots and blocks are consistent with adopted design standards;

(9)

Whether proposed rights-of-way and servitudes are adequate to serve the property and are consistent with adopted plans; and

(10)

Whether the traffic impacts from the proposed development can be adequately mitigated in accordance with a traffic impact analysis, if required; and

(11)

Whether the proposed development is consistent with an applicable concept plan approval.

(d)

Approval.

(1)

Unless specifically stated in the ordinance of the parish council, approval of the preliminary plat shall constitute consent to proceed with the subdivision process subject to the conditions of approval, which should address the subdivision lot design, street, and right-of-way arrangement, servitudes, common areas, and other subdivision design issues. If adequate information is available the ordinance may address on- and off-site improvement responsibilities.

(2)

Unless specifically stated in the ordinance of the parish council or a previous action on a phasing plan, the preliminary plat approval shall lapse one (1) year after approval by the parish council.

(3)

Prior to lapse of approval, the applicant may file a written request with the planning director for one (1) extension to the preliminary plat for a period not to exceed one (1) year. After considering the LURTC recommendation, the parish council may grant the request by resolution. Re-approval of a lapsed preliminary plat shall follow the same procedure as the initial approval of the preliminary plat.

(4)

Minor amendments to the preliminary plat may be approved by the parish council at the time of action on the final plat. Minor amendments may include any of the following changes:

a.

Changes to lot line locations that do not increase the number or change the orientation of lots and do not create any lots or blocks that fail to conform to subdivision or zoning design standards;

b.

Adjustments in rights-of-way and servitudes that do not substantially relocate a facility, do not create any unusable parcels, and do not create a substandard right-of-way or servitude;

c.

Reconfiguration of open space and common areas, provided that the change does not reduce the usability or area of common open space or reduce the effectiveness of the open space in buffering adjacent property; and

d.

Changes in internal circulation patterns of local streets that do not affect external or through traffic patterns.

(5)

Major amendments to the preliminary plat shall follow the same procedure as the initial approval of the preliminary plat.

(Ord. No. 24989 , § II, 8-12-15)