Preliminary Plat Process

Overview

The Preliminary Plat is the first step in a two-step subdivision process. The Preliminary Plat provides the design for the subdivision and lays out the location of lots, tracts, blocks, utilities, streets, and common areas. The Preliminary Plat is followed by the Final Plat Process.

The main steps in the process are:

Step 1: Pre-Submittal Conference

A Pre-Submittal application is required prior to filing an application for a Preliminary Plat. Pre-Submittal applications are due each Monday by 12:00 pm. and must be submitted via the DIMES portal.

Staff will review the Pre-Submittal application for compliance with all appropriate standards, codes, specifications, and requirements and provide written review comments within 10 calendar days.

Applicants will have the option to attend a Pre-Submittal Conference to discuss the provided comments. Pre-Submittal Conferences are typically a half hour and held each Tuesday morning. Conferences may be requested to be held in person or electronically.

Please note that a Pre-Submittal does not constitute a complete review or guarantee that all issues are identified.

Required Documents: 

• Application - submitted through the DIMES portal
• Project Narrative - describing the proposed subdivision, including a description of any proposed phasing of improvements and utility installation
• Sketch Plan
• Building Elevations – conceptual building elevations for Residential Small Lot (RSL) and/or cluster development

Desired Documents:

• Conceptual Plat
  • Clearly identify boundary of parcel(s) to be subdivided
  • Vicinity map and location of plat  
  • North arrow and scale
  • Street names and right-of-way dimensions, existing and proposed
  • Identification of all water and drainage features, existing and proposed
  • Name, address, phone, and email for property owner, developer, and engineer/surveyor
  • Site Summary Table with size (gross, net), number of tracts and lots, density, zoning district, Tax assessor parcel numbers, total area of open space
  • Notes section indicating project description, school district, utility service, maintenance responsibilities etc.
  • Lot table (lot numbers, area, width, total square footage)
  • Tract table (tract identification and usage)
• Conceptual Utility Plans
  • Dimensions and locations of all existing and proposed easements, including recording information for all existing easements
  • Size of existing and proposed water and sewer lines
  • Location of existing and proposed fire hydrants and water meter pits
  • Location of all proposed improvements within the public right-of-way
• Conceptual Grading - existing and proposed contours extending 25 feet beyond the perimeter of the site

Step 2: Application Submittal

Application for a Preliminary Plat may be submitted at any point after a Pre-Submittal Conference has been completed.

Complete applications and fees must be submitted electronically via the DIMES portal. Applications are due each Monday by the end of the business day.

The applicant is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all information submitted. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.

Required Documents:

• Application - submitted through the DIMES portal
• Property Owner Authorization(PDF, 162KB)
• Preliminary Title Report - along with all recorded documents showing proof of ownership.
• Project Narrative - describing the proposed subdivision, including a description of any proposed phasing of improvements and utility installation.
• Preliminary Plat - consisting of the following:

Identification Data

• Drawn to a standard engineering scale at no more than one hundred (100) feet to one (1) inch. Use more than one sheet if necessary.
• Proposed name of subdivision, legal description, and acreage.
• Name and address of subdivider, engineer, surveyor, and owners of subject property.
• Date of preparation and all subsequent revisions, scale, and north arrow.

Survey Data

• Boundary lines of subdivision, rights-of-way lines and dimensions of existing and proposed streets, easements (including recording information for all existing easements), alleys and other rights-of-ways, block and lot lines or building envelopes with accurate bearings and distances.
• Name, book, and page number of any recorded subdivision adjacent to or having common boundaries with the subject property.
• Location of all driveways, streets, and median openings on the opposite side of the perimeter streets within 325 feet of any proposed driveway or intersection.

Descriptive Data

• Land use breakdown, including number and size of lots, and building envelopes in square feet.
• A location map of the area surrounding the site within a distance of at least one-half (1/2) mile, showing zoning districts, transportation systems, major public facilities, and locations of existing municipal boundary lines.
• Location of fences, existing structures, wells, wind machines, ditches, washes, trees and other characteristics that could have bearing on the review.
• Areas to be dedicated or reserved for parks, retention basins, school, well sites, substations, sewer lift stations, reservoir, water pump station or other public or private uses.

Preliminary Drainage Report - consisting of the following:

• A drainage map that identifies the on-site drainage area(s) as well as any associated off-site drainage areas.
• All existing drainage or irrigation structures or features, such as washes, channels, delivery ditches, turnout structures, etc., shall be shown on the map(s). Report shall discuss the impact on and modifications to the existing features.
• Drainage patterns of all public or private streets whether within or adjacent to the proposed project shall be delineated on the drainage map(s).
• Proposed retention basin location(s), size(s) and means of storm water conveyance and disposal shall be shown on the drainage map(s). Narrative discussion and supporting calculations shall be provided in the body of the report.  
•  Emergency outfall location.
• Location and alignment of any proposed channels.
• Conceptual storm drain and catch basin layout.
• Conceptual retention bleedoff provisions.

Preliminary Engineering Plans

• Layout of the water system, indicating fire hydrants, valves, meter vaults, water line sizes etc.
• Water System Basis of Design Report (BDR) in accordance with Section 312 of the Engineering and Design Standards – to establish the projected water demands, available system capacity and proposed hydraulics of the planned water system.  
• Layout of the sewerage system, indicating line sizes with invert elevations, manhole locations, cleanouts, slopes, and depths.
• Sewerage System Basis of Design Report (BDR) in accordance with Section 412 of the Engineering and Design Standards – to establish projected wastewater flows and assure that adequate capacity is available to serve the proposed project as well as the regional needs of the area. A BDR may also be required to demonstrate the conformance of individual phases of a development with the accepted master plan for that development.  
• Alignment and dimensions of all proposed roadways, parking lots and sidewalks, preliminary curve data, curve lengths, and proposed street names.
• Cross sections for existing and proposed public or private perimeter and interior streets.
• Preliminary Landscape Plan
• Contour Map – showing spot elevations as related to US & CGS survey datum or approved city datum.

Step 3: Staff Review

Staff will review the Preliminary Plat for compliance with all appropriate standards, codes, specifications, and requirements and provide written comments within 8 working days of the next closest formal submittal listed on the Planning & Zoning Board Calendar(PDF, 372KB). This comment letter will identify requirements that need to be resolved before a public hearing is scheduled.

The applicant will revise pertinent documents to address review comments and provide a written comment response letter stating how each review comment was addressed.

This process repeats until all requirements are met.

Step 4: Public Hearing

Planning & Zoning Board hearings are typically held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. A study session will occur before the hearing and typically take place at either 3:00 or 3:30 pm. Planning and Zoning Board hearings take place at 4:00 pm. 

Staff will prepare a report describing the proposed project and compliance with Mesa codes and policies. Staff reports will be available and posted to the case file within the DIMES system the Thursday prior to the Board meeting. 

Staff will prepare and present to the Board a presentation outlining the proposed project at the study session. The applicant is highly encouraged to attend the meeting to answer questions and participate in discussion.  

Planning & Zoning Board