A.Â
Before undertaking the preparation of a major subdivision
plat, the applicant shall consult with the Commission's staff to discuss
the location of proposed major streets, highways, parks, playgrounds,
school sites, conservation areas, site-specific planning opportunities
and constraints, and other planned public improvements and to determine
the zoning regulations and other requirements relating to or affecting
the proposed subdivision. Notification of preliminary conference is
required to other County divisions such as Parks, Inspections and
Enforcement, and Engineering.
B.Â
The applicant for a subdivision is encouraged to also
consult with the Kent County Public Works Department, the Kent Conservation
District, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the
fire chief for the respective fire district, the Delaware Department
of Agriculture, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control (DNREC) on matters related to proposed facilities
for sanitary sewage disposal, stormwater management for quality, quantity,
and drainage, and water supply intended to serve the proposed subdivision.
C.Â
The purpose of these consultations is to assist the
applicant by furnishing information and advice, expedite the application
process for the applicant, save him unnecessary expense and promote
the best coordination between the plans of the applicant and those
of the Kent County Comprehensive Plan and other public agencies.
D.Â
The preliminary application must be submitted within
six months of the preliminary conference meeting or another preliminary
conference will be required and the project must meet all current
standards.
A.Â
The applicant shall provide a sketch of the subject
property showing the proposed scheme for development of the property
and other significant information to the Commission's staff at the
preliminary conference. Such plan shall be submitted to the Commission's
staff at least five days prior to the date of the preliminary conference.
B.Â
The sketch plan shall include all information as required
by Appendix A, Major Subdivision Plan Requirements, at the end of
this chapter.
C.Â
The Commission's staff review shall take into consideration the requirements of this chapter, Chapter 205, Zoning, and the Comprehensive Plan and shall pay particular attention to the following:
(1)Â
The arrangement, location, and width of streets and
their relation to the topography of the site;
(2)Â
The arrangement, size and location of lots and proposed
structures, if any;
(3)Â
Drainage;
(4)Â
Sewage disposal and water supply;
(5)Â
The relation of the subdivision to the natural features
of the site;
(6)Â
Community facilities and provision of open space;
(7)Â
Protection of water quality;
(8)Â
Preservation of trees and historic and cultural resources;
(9)Â
The potential further development of adjoining lands
which may not yet be subdivided;
(10)Â
The general objective of ensuring a durable,
harmonious, and appropriate use of the land in accordance with the
objectives of the Comprehensive Plan; and
A.Â
An applicant may submit a sketch plan for any proposed
subdivision to the Regional Planning Commission (Commission) for review.
A submission to the Commission is encouraged, but not required.
B.Â
For proposed subdivisions located within the growth zone, as identified by the Kent County Comprehensive Plan, in which the applicant has chosen to submit a sketch plan, the public hearing process described in Article V, § 187-21, below shall take place at the sketch plan process rather than the preliminary plan stage. The submission requirement of at least 30 days prior to the date of the Commission public hearing shall remain in effect.
[Added 1-16-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02]
C.Â
The submission of a sketch plan does not constitute
submission of an application for approval of a subdivision. However,
it does represent a basis for an informal discussion between the Commission
and the landowner or applicant, which may prove to be valuable to
the prospective applicant in formulating plans, documents, and other
submissions for preliminary plan approval. In the event that an applicant
submits a sketch plan, the following shall apply:
(1)Â
The applicant shall submit the required fees, application,
a sketch plan checklist, an electronic copy of the plan, and 10 copies
of the sketch plan to the Department at least 30 days prior to the
Commission meeting at which the plan is to be reviewed.
(2)Â
The sketch plans shall be prepared by a Delaware registered
professional land surveyor, registered professional architect, registered
landscape architect, certified planner, or professional engineer (adherence
to design discipline registration shall be observed) at a scale no
smaller than one inch equals 100 feet unless approved by the Planning
Director or designee and on a twenty-four-inch-by-thirty-six-inch
sheet.
(3)Â
In addition to furnishing copies of the sketch plan,
the landowner or applicant shall identify the name, address, and telephone
number of the holder of legal title to the land involved, the nature
of the landowner's interest in the land (whether holder of legal or
equitable title or otherwise), and the name, address, and telephone
number of the agent, if any. The applicant shall provide such information
in writing.
(4)Â
The Commission shall review the sketch plan, and the
Planning Director or designee shall indicate any and all review comments
pertaining to the plan to the applicant by written correspondence
per the standards of the Commission.
(6)Â
Applicants for proposed subdivisions located outside
of the growth zone, as identified by the Kent County Comprehensive
Plan, are still encouraged to submit sketch plans, but the public
hearing process will take place at the preliminary plan stage.
D.Â
Neither the Commission nor the applicant shall be
bound by the sketch plan; however, the subsequent preliminary plan
must conform to the sketch plan in concept and substance.
