Chapter 20.88
SHORT SUBDIVISIONS
Sections:
20.88.040 Application and drawing.
20.88.070 Surveying and recording.
20.88.080 Required improvements.
20.88.150 Time limit for completion.
20.88.010 Approval required
Any action which will result in a short subdivision of any lot, tract, parcel or plot of land for any reasons whatsoever shall be subject to approval by the utilities superintendent and shall be processed as a class ii action pursuant to Chapter 20.08. Approval shall be based on standards and conditions set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1176 § 33, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.030 Approval procedure.
All short subdivisions shall be submitted to the utilities superintendent for review and approval. Approving, with specified alterations, or disapproving action will be taken within thirty days of the date of issuance of a determination of completeness under Section 20.08.090, unless the applicant consents to a time extension. (Ord. 1176 § 34, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.040 Application and drawing.
(a) An application for approval of a short subdivision shall be accompanied by an accurately scaled and dimensioned drawing of the proposed subdivision prepared by a registered land surveyor at a minimum scale of one inch equals fifty feet.
(b) The application shall contain an accurate legal description of the area involved in the subdivision. In the event the boundaries are described by metes and bounds the accuracy of the description shall be attested to and signed by a registered land surveyor. The basis of bearings shall be stated.
(c) The total property owned by the applicant which is contiguous to the parcel being subdivided shall be accurately indicated on the drawing. In addition, all adjacent property and owners within a distance of three hundred feet of the proposed subdivision shall be accurately indicated on the drawing. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.050 Lack of sewerage.
In the event the proposed subdivision is not sewered, a recommendation for approval from the health department shall be obtained prior to approval of the subdivision. (Ord. 1176 § 35, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.060 Lots and streets.
(a) All lots created by a short subdivision shall abut upon a dedicated or deeded street and such street is to have no less than sixty feet of width if a through street, or fifty feet of width if a cul-de-sac. In the event the abutting street does not meet these minimum width requirements, additional right-of-way shall be required prior to approval of a short subdivision.
(b) In multiple lot subdivisions the minimum ground area for each lot shall be deemed to have been met if the average lot area is not less than the minimum lot area of the zoning district in which the property is located as identified on the zoning map. In computing the average lot area, not more than ten percent of the number of lots may contain an area less than the prescribed minimum for the zoning district. In no case shall any lots be created which contain an area less than ninety percent of the prescribed minimum for the zoning district. However, a division of land containing less that the above required area may be approved if such division of property results in substantially larger lots than previously existed. (Ord. 1176 § 36, 1996; Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.070 Surveying and recording.
Regardless of whether or not there is a dedication of land to the public for streets, utility easements or any other purpose, the short subdivision shall be prepared by a registered land surveyor. All short subdivisions shall be surveyed, monumented and recorded with the county auditor. Proof of recording shall be recorded on the final plat map along with the signature of the utilities superintendent. Maps of the final plat shall be provided by the applicant to the building official and the utilities superintendent. (Ord. 1176 § 37, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.075 Flaglotting.
Where the extension of a public street is not identified on the official street map, or where improved lot design would be achieved, flaglotting may be permitted subject to the following standards:
(1) The flagpole shall not exceed in length twice the width of the flag lot at the building line or twice the length of the flag lot, whichever dimension is lesser.
(2) The flagpole shall maintain a constant minimum width of fifteen feet in a rural or residential low-density zone and a minimum width of twenty feet in a residential medium-density or residential high-density zone.
(3) Flag lots creating more than two adjoining flagpoles are prohibited.
(4) The flagpole shall not encroach upon or cross a live stream, ravine, storm drainage or similar topographic feature without provision of an adequate structure or fill and culvert to carry the resident’s traffic.
(5) Flaglotting is prohibited in zones. (Ord. 1176 § 38, 1996; Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.080 Required improvements.
(a) Prior to approval for any short subdivision, the following improvements shall have been made or installed for each parcel created by the division of land:
(1) City water;
(2) Sanitary sewer or health department approval of septic systems;
(3) Appropriate dedications or easements made if required;
(4) Storm sewers, streets, curbs, sidewalks, street lights, gas lines, telephone and/or T.V. cable, if required by the planning commission or city council.
(b) Performance bonds may be accepted in lieu of installation of the above improvements subject to approval of the city council. (Ord. 1176 § 39, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.100 Resubdivision.
Any short subdivision, or land involved in a short subdivision, shall not be resubdivided for a period of five years from the date of approval of the short plat without the submission and approval of a final plat done in accordance with Chapter 20.102. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.110 Inspection fee.
An inspection fee will be required for each and every short subdivision applied for after the adoption of the ordinance codified in this division. The fee is as established in Chapter 20.108. (Ord. 1176 § 60, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.140 Appeal to council.
If a short subdivision application is disapproved, the applicant may appeal such disapproval pursuant to the provisions of Section 20.08.160. (Ord. 1176 § 42, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.88.150 Time limit for completion.
Any application for a short subdivision which is not completed by filing with the Whatcom County auditor within one year of the date of application shall be considered abandoned unless the time limit is extended by the utilities superintendent for good cause, then it shall be considered abandoned if not so approved and filed by the extended deadline. No action shall be taken on any abandoned short subdivision application. (Ord. 1176 § 43, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)