16.15.090 Review criteria.
Preliminary plats shall be reviewed:
(1) To assure conformance of the proposed subdivision to the general purposes of this code, the Comprehensive Plan and to development standards, specifications and policies adopted by the city council.
(2) To inquire into the public use and interest proposed to be served by the establishment of the subdivision and/or dedication. Appropriate provisions shall be made for, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Open spaces, drainage ways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, other public ways, water supplies, sanitary waste, parks, playgrounds, sites for schools and school grounds, safe walking conditions to schools, fire protection, landscaping, street trees, lighting, and appropriate transit stops, and shall consider all other relevant facts and determine whether the public interest will be served by the subdivision and dedication. If it is found that the proposed plat does not make such appropriate provisions or that the public use and interest will not be served, then the proposed plat may be disapproved. Dedication of land to any public body may be required as a condition of subdivision approval and shall be clearly shown on the final plat.
(b) Prevention of Overcrowding. Consideration shall be given to the physical characteristics of the land in relation to the number of persons, buildings or sites proposed to be located thereon, and also to the availability of public facilities such as water, sewers, fire protection, streets, schools, parks, etc., if not adequately provided for within the subdivision.
(c) Traffic Circulation on the Streets and Highways. Proposed streets must be aligned or built in such a way as to best facilitate the movement of traffic and reduce the possibility of accidents. This shall include a consideration of the alignment of intersections, width and surfacing of streets, proper curbs, sidewalks or paths, radii of curves and sight vision at intersections, hills and private easements.
(d) Adequate Light and Air. There shall be assurance that the plat is arranged in such a way that all lots have adequate light and air.
(e) Proper Arrangement and Provision of Easements and Pathways and Other Bicycle-Pedestrian Paths, Etc. There shall be assurance of conformance with existing layout of pathways and streets and also to adopted plans for such. Adequate provisions for pathways connecting various parts of a subdivision shall be considered in such a way that most of the pedestrian and nonmotorized traffic is diverted away from vehicular lanes. There shall be consideration given to providing trail systems in areas conducive to such (along creeks, rivers, scenic areas, etc.).
(f) Protection of any on-site cultural or historic resources.
(3) To consider the physical characteristics of the proposed subdivision site, including flood, inundation or swamp conditions. The hearing examiner may recommend the construction of protective improvements be required as a condition of approval, with such improvements to be noted on the final plat in order to assure that:
(a) All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.
(b) All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, are located, elevated and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.
(c) Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
The hearing examiner shall give due consideration to all of the above items. Written findings of fact and conclusions shall address the above criteria and shall be included in the hearing examiner’s decision. (Ord. 1164 § 4, 2004; Ord. 1110 § 2, 2002).