§ 4.2. Minor Plats

4.2.1 Whenever a tract of land is to be platted, subdivided or resubdivided into four (4) or fewer lots, the subdivision may be exempted from the procedural provisions of formal planning commission plat approval, and may be approved administratively, through the minor plat process.

A. Purpose and Intent : The purpose of the minor plat process is to allow for a more efficient approval process for plats of four (4) or fewer lots. The classification of a subdivision as a minor plat shall not be construed as a waiver of any other requirement of this Ordinance, or any other ordinance or statute pertaining to the platting of property.

B. Minor Plat Defined : A minor plat shall be defined as a plat of a tract of land which includes four (4) or fewer lots, which also meets the following conditions:

1. Each lot of the subdivision shall have frontage on an existing public street, and shall not necessitate the creation of any new street, or the extension of any existing street; and

2. The subdivision shall be served by existing municipal or W.C.I.D #8 utilities of adequate capacity, and shall not necessitate the extension of any municipal or W.C.I.D #8 utilities, except for the installation of service lines to the individual lot(s) from existing mains of adequate capacity or by wells and sewage systems approved by the Galveston County Health District.

C. Application Procedures : The submittal of an application for a minor plat shall be made to the Development Officer. The applicant shall submit the completed application form, provided in the Appendix of this Ordinance, and two (2) copies of a preliminary and final plat; or in the case of a one (1) lot single family residential subdivision, two (2) copies of a final plat only. The applicant shall also submit a title search, current to within sixty days (60) of application, certifying to at least the following concerning the title to the land: A statement of records examined and date of examination; description of the property in question, including a metes and bounds description of the tract; name of the fee owner as of the date of examination, and the date, file number, date of filing, and volume and page of any lienholders; and general description of any easement or fee strips granted along with the file number, date of filing, and volume and page of recording. The application fee, as specified on a schedule to be provided by the Development Officer, is due at the time the plat is submitted.

D. Minor Plat Contents :

1. The preliminary plat shall meet the requirements of this Article, and the requirements of any other ordinance or statute governing the subdivision of land in the City of Santa Fe.

2. The final plat shall meet the requirements of this Ordinance and any other ordinance or statute governing the subdivision of land.

3. The certificate of approval (See Form #1 at the end of this Section of the Ordinance.) by the Development Officer shall be placed on the final plat.

E. Review Procedure : The Development Officer shall review the proposed minor plat to insure compliance with all appropriate requirements. The Development Officer may submit the subdivision plat to other City departments and/or other agencies for review and comment, as deemed necessary. Within seven (7) working days after the date of application, the minor plat shall be returned to the subdivider with written analysis and commentary.

F. Approval Process : Upon completion of plat review by the Development Officer, and the correction of the plat by the applicant, the applicant shall submit the items listed below within ten (10) working days after the date of application:

1. Two white background prints of the corrected preliminary plat, and the copies of the original submittal with Development Officer analysis and commentary (if applicable);

2. Two (2) reproducible mylars of the final plat, and the copies of the original submittal with Development Officer analysis and commentary;

3. Five (5) true to scale copies of the final plat;

4. Tax certificates stating that no taxes are delinquent against the property; and

5. The appropriate filing fees, as specified in the Appendix of this Ordinance.

If the items listed above are not submitted within ten (10) days after the date of application the minor plat application shall be considered null and void. The Development Officer may approve a minor plat. The Development Officer may, for any reason, elect to forward the minor plat to the planning commission for review and approval. The Development Officer shall not disapprove a minor plat but shall be required to refer any minor plat which he refuses to approve to the planning commission, within thirty (30) days after the date of application.

6. The Planning Commission may approve, conditionally, or disapprove a minor plat.

G. Other Requirements :

1. A subdivision shall not be processed as a minor plat if its approval would require the granting of a variance.

2. Land subdivided through the minor plat process shall not be resubdivided or replatted by amendment or otherwise for a period of one (1) year from the approval of the original minor plat, unless it is approved by the planning commission.

3. Whenever a minor plat includes one (1) or more lots containing more than one (1) acre of land, and where there are indications that such lots may eventually be resubdivided, the Development Officer may refer the plat to the planning commission.

4. For purposes of keeping the Planning Commission and the general public informed of platting activity, the regular monthly Planning Commission agenda shall include an agenda item reporting all minor plats processed during the preceding month.

(Ordinance No. 02-2010 of April 8, 2010, Secs. 4, 5)