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The preliminary plat approval stage involves the resubmission of the preliminary plat to address the TAC comments. Included in this stage are the review of the resubmitted plans, reports, and required studies and acceptance of the preliminary plat. The applicant shall provide the city with all information essential to determine the character and general acceptability of the proposed development.

A. Preliminary Plat Resubmission.

1. The applicant shall resubmit submittal items of the preliminary plat and each sheet/exhibit and all other required or requested supporting data to the city (see the city of Maricopa submittal requirement checklist submittal details).

2. Preliminary plats that correctly contain all of the information requested or required by the TAC, as determined by the city, shall be scheduled for planning and zoning commission for review.

3. Incomplete or incorrect resubmittals could cause delays in a preliminary plat being presented to the planning and zoning commission. Scheduling of the case for commission hearing shall be determined by the zoning administrator and shall be dependent upon adequacy of data presented, completion of processing, and other legalities that may be required if the subdivision involves rezoning, PAD and other land use exceptions.

4. As a prerequisite to the commission hearing for any preliminary plat a neighborhood meeting may be required to be conducted by the applicant, if determined by the zoning administrator to be necessary. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information to the adjacent property owners and citizens.

5. The applicant shall submit documentation of the attendees and minutes of the meeting(s) to the zoning administrator. All meeting(s) shall be held within the city of Maricopa corporate limits.

6. An applicant has six months from the date of the TAC meeting, or six months from the date of receipt of later comments, in which to resubmit said plans. All applications need to be actively pursued to a decision. If the city has completed any and all appropriate reviews and no activity has occurred for the continued processing of the application on behalf of the applicant for at least six months, the application will be considered inactive, deemed to be withdrawn, and the file will be closed. Thirty days prior to the inactive date, staff will notify the applicant in writing of the impending action. The applicant may submit a written request for the application to remain active along with an explanation for the inactivity. The director may grant an extension for up to six months for good cause if there is reasonable belief that the application will be actively pursued during the extension period. Failure to resubmit plans which address all of the TAC comments, or subsequent redline comments, within this deadline shall cause the application to be null and void and fees will not be refunded.

7. An applicant shall be required to submit a new preliminary plat application, including fees and another review of the subdivision by the TAC if the resubmittal is not in substantial conformance to the original submittal. Substantial nonconformance is considered to be, but not limited to, the following:

a. An increase in the number of lots or units.

b. A change in the size or configuration of the development parcel.

B. Preliminary Plat Review.

1. Zoning. The subdivision shall be designed to meet the specific requirements for the zoning district within which it is located. However, in the event that rezoning is necessary for the preliminary plat to conform with the zoning district regulations, or if a PAD approval is sought, said action shall be initiated concurrently with the preliminary plat by the property owner or his authorized agent. In any event, any such zoning amendment required in relation to the preliminary plat shall have been adopted prior to a preliminary plat approval.

2. Planning. The subdivision shall be designed to comply with the design standards of this title, Design Standards Manual, MCC Title 18, Zoning, and the goals and objectives of the adopted Maricopa general plan. If the proposed subdivision is in conformance with existing zoning, the plat does not require an amendment to the general plan. In the event that an amendment to the general plan is necessary for the preliminary plat to conform with the specific land use, circulation, or open space elements, said amendment(s) required in relation to the preliminary plat shall have been adopted prior to a preliminary plat approval.

3. Utilities and Services. As a prerequisite of preliminary plat approval by the city, the applicant shall have reviewed tentative concepts with but not limited to, Pinal County Environmental Health Department, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), appropriate city departments, Maricopa fire department, and the public utility companies that serve the area proposed for development. The applicant shall have “will serve” letters from the water and sanitary sewer providers, and the electric, gas, and telecommunications companies servicing the development and general approval of the preliminary design to be used. The city may require additional documentation establishing the sufficiency of access and adequacy of service.

4. Reports. Reports should be resubmitted after two years with updated data based on current conditions. Any report at this level shall not be considered an approved document.

C. Requirements for Preliminary Plat Approval.

1. A preview meeting may be scheduled for commission by staff, if determined to be necessary, in which no action is taken by the commission. With the purpose to inform the public about the project and allow to ask questions and voice concerns.

2. When all requirements of this title have been satisfied the case will be scheduled for a commission hearing. The development services department report shall be submitted for commission review and action. The commission shall consider the preliminary plat, TAC comments, and the development services and public works department report and recommendations. If satisfied that all objectives have been met, the commission may approve the preliminary plat and make a notation of the commission’s approval on the copy of the preliminary plat retained in the office of the zoning administrator.

3. If the plat is generally acceptable, but requires minor revisions, the commission may conditionally approve the preliminary plat and the required revisions noted in the minutes of the meeting. At the direction of the commission, the zoning administrator may approve the preliminary plat when it has been satisfactorily revised in accordance with the stated conditions.

4. If the commission finds that all of the objectives and requirements of this title have not been met, the commission may continue the preliminary plat pending revisions, or deny of the preliminary plat. Resubmittals due to revisions, for the same parcel or any part thereof, shall follow the aforementioned procedure.

D. Significance of Preliminary Approval. Preliminary plat approval constitutes authorization for the applicant to proceed with preparation of the final plat and the improvement plans and specifications for public improvements. Preliminary plat approval does not authorize the applicant to cut roads or other easements, begin site preparation and grading, or any similar such work unless authorized in writing by the city. Preliminary approval is based on the following terms:

1. Subject to the Basic Approval. The basic conditions under which preliminary approval of the preliminary plat is granted will not be substantially changed prior to the expiration date.

2. Approval. Approval of a preliminary plat approved by the city of Maricopa shall be effective for two years in accordance with an approved phasing plan, but may be extended one time only, upon reapplication and review by staff and verification that the development is in compliance with all current applicable codes of the city, for an additional two years. For phased plats, the city has authority to grant additional extensions if it can be seen that there is progress being made on other phases.

3. Multi-Phased Developments. The use of block plats or platting by phases is allowed. The recording of a final plat of one phase shall extend the next phase preliminary plat approval for one year and each phase follows suit. Development of 75 percent of the project vests the remaining 25 percent.

4. No Authority to Record. Preliminary approval, in itself, does not assure final acceptance of streets for dedication nor continuation of existing zoning requirements for the development or its environs nor constitute authorization to record the plat. [Ord. 24-01 § 2; Res. 22-12; Ord. 22-03 § 2; Ord. 20-11 §2(14-4-5); Res. 20-31.]