Chapter 16.115
PRELIMINARY PLATS
Sections:
16.115.060 Validity and extensions.
16.115.010 Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to set forth the procedures, criteria, submittal requirements and validity for all preliminary plats processed under this title. (Ord. 18-09 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 99-008 § 1(D) (part), 1999)
16.115.020 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all preliminary applications regulated by this title, unless exempted pursuant to BGMC 16.105.050. (Ord. 18-09 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 99-008 § 1(D) (part), 1999)
16.115.040 Preliminary plats.
A. Procedures.
1. Short Plat (Two Lots). A short plat is a land partition. Short plats splitting one property into two shall be processed as a Type I land use action, pursuant to BGMC 17.200.060.
2. Short Plat (Three to Nine Lots). A short plat is a land partition. Short plats resulting in three to nine parcels shall be processed as a Type II land use action, pursuant to BGMC 17.200.065.
3. Subdivisions (Ten or More Lots). A subdivision is a land partition containing ten or more lots. Subdivisions shall be processed as a Type III land use action, pursuant to BGMC 17.200.070.
B. Submittal Requirements. Applications for preliminary short plats or subdivisions shall provide the following:
1. Fees associated with the application.
2. One electronic file with all application items.
3. A completed application form provided by the planning director, and copies of the information required.
4. Narrative addressing how the development complies with the criteria and technical standards of this chapter, other applicable standards of this title and the policies of the comprehensive plan applicable to the proposed development.
5. SEPA checklist (if applicable).
6. Reduced copies of all full-size plans.
7. Road modification request pursuant to BGMC 12.116.290 (if applicable).
8. Deed history for each parcel through 1969 (if applicable).
9. Traffic study (if applicable).
10. Hydrology report including geotechnical report (if applicable).
11. Provide two sets of the following:
a. Mailing labels: a current list of names and addresses of all property owners within a five-hundred-foot radius of the site certified as accurate and complete by the Clark County assessor or title company.
C. Preliminary Plat. The proposed preliminary plat shall include pertinent survey data compiled as a result of a survey made by or under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor in the state of Washington. The preliminary plat shall be drawn to scale and shall include the following information:
1. The location and dimensions of proposed preliminary plat;
2. Lines marking the boundaries of the proposed lots;
3. Dashed, labeled line identifying building envelopes for newly defined lots.
4. Streets and other rights-of-way and public or private access easements on and adjoining the site;
5. Above-ground utilities;
6. Existing structures to be retained on the site and their distance from property lines;
7. Proposed structures on the site, including signs, fences, etc., and their distance from property lines;
8. The location and type of proposed outdoor lighting and existing lighting to be retained.
D. Existing Conditions Plan. An existing conditions plan shall include the following information:
1. A vicinity map showing location of subject site within the city of Battle Ground and the surrounding existing street system.
2. Property boundaries, and dimensions and size of subject site.
3. Graphic scale of the drawing and the orientation relative to north.
4. The location, name and dimensions of all streets adjoining the site indicating whether privately or publicly owned.
5. The location of existing structures and other improvements on the site, including structures, driveways, parking, loading, pedestrian paths, open space, and utilities.
6. Elevation of the site at two-foot contour intervals for grades zero percent to ten percent and at five-foot contour intervals for grades more than ten percent.
7. The approximate location of significant natural conditions, such as:
a. The one-hundred-year floodplain.
b. The location of drainage patterns and drainage course.
c. Slopes in excess of fifteen percent.
d. Unstable ground, e.g., land subject to slumping, slides or movement.
e. Wetland indicators.
f. Areas having severe soil erosion potential.
g. Significant wildlife habitat or vegetation.
E. Utility Plan. The utility plan shall show the following:
1. The proposed location, size, connection points to existing public systems, and terminus points for sanitary sewer, water and stormwater drainage and control. Stormwater information shall be provided in conformance with Chapter 18.250 BGMC.
2. Public and private easements for sanitary sewer, water and stormwater shall also be indicated.
F. Criteria. Approval of preliminary short plats and subdivisions shall be subject to the following criteria:
1. Whether the plat meets applicable zoning and other land use regulatory requirements of the city and state. No short plat shall be approved unless it is found to be in compliance with applicable city zoning regulations;
2. Except for nonresidential plats, whether the proposed short plat 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 said sidewalks;
3. The design, shape, size and orientation of the proposed subdivision lots are appropriate to the underlying zoning district;
4. Whether the recommendations of the city engineer and other appropriate agencies and personnel can be accommodated in the plat, if provided;
5. Whether prior written approval of the Department of Ecology of the state of Washington is provided, if the plat covers any land situated in a flood control zone as provided in Chapter 86.16 RCW. Construction of protective improvements may be required as a condition of approval, and such improvements shall be noted on the approved 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, whether a plan for the entire tract has been submitted showing how the proposed lots and improvements relate and coordinate with the entire tract when fully platted. (Ord. 21-10 § 2, 2021; Ord. 20-08 § 3, 2020: Ord. 18-09 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 15-04 § 19 (part), 2015: Ord. 07-15 § 3, 2007: Ord. 99-008 § 1(D) (part), 1999)
16.115.060 Validity and extensions.
A. Validity. Preliminary plat approval shall be valid for the time frames specified in RCW 58.17.140.
B. Extensions. The community development director may administratively authorize extensions to preliminary plat approvals. Preliminary plat extensions shall be processed as a Type I land use action pursuant to BGMC 17.200.060. Extensions shall be issued in one-year increments, subject to the following criteria and conditions:
1. The initial one-year extension shall be granted if the applicant makes written request for the extension at least thirty days prior to expiration of the preliminary plat approval.
2. Any subsequent one-year extension may be granted upon the director finding that:
a. There have been no changes to the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, development standards or other applicable codes that are inconsistent with the approved preliminary plat; and
b. The applicant has pursued final platting in good faith. Good faith shall be evidenced by progress on final surveying, engineering, construction or bonding of improvements.
In any case, a maximum of three consecutive one-year extensions may be granted for a preliminary plat approval.
3. A condition of any extension approval shall be that the subject plat shall comply with current city requirements in effect at the time of improvement.
4. For phased developments, the director may issue unlimited one-year extensions, provided:
a. There have not been any substantial changes in the laws governing the development of the plat, with which lack of compliance would be contrary to the public health, safety and welfare; and
b. At least fifty percent of the public infrastructure for the entire project has been constructed. (Ord. 23-10 § 1, 2023; Ord. 18-09 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 15-04 § 19 (part), 2015: Ord. 11-05 § 2, 2011: Ord. 99-008 § 1(D) (part), 1999)