19.20.080 Approval criteria.
In considering preliminary subdivision plats, the city shall inquire into the public use and interest proposed to be served by the establishment of the subdivision. The city shall approve a preliminary subdivision plat only if appropriate provisions are made in the subdivision for, but not limited to, the public health, safety, and general welfare, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary and/or septic sewer systems, fire protection, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools, sidewalks, and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school, and shall consider all other relevant facts and requirements as set forth in this chapter.
Subdivisions shall comply with the design principles, standards and specifications set forth and referenced in the development guidelines and public works standards, Chapter 19.24 AMC, the comprehensive plan, and the zoning and development regulations of the city. More specifically, subdivisions:
A. Shall not result in a lot, tract, parcel, site or division which contains insufficient area or dimensions to meet the minimum requirements for area and dimension as set forth in the land use and health codes and regulations, except as permitted in accordance with the nonconforming lots of record provisions set forth in AMC Title 22;
B. Shall not diminish or impair drainage, water supply, existing sanitary sewage disposal, and access or easement for vehicles, utilities, and fire protection for any lot, tract, parcel, site or division;
C. Shall not diminish any easement or deprive any parcel of access or utilities, unless alternate easements, access or utilities can be satisfactorily provided;
D. Shall not increase the nonconforming aspects of any existing nonconforming lot relative to the city’s zoning and land use regulations;
E. Shall not amend the conditions of approval for previously platted property, unless alternate conditions can be satisfactorily provided;
F. Shall not include property currently not annexed to the city;
G. Shall not extend or increase the use of city utilities previously granted under an approved preannexation utility extension agreement;
H. Shall be served with adequate means of drainage, water supply, sewage disposal, and other necessary services;
I. Shall have adequate means of ingress and egress;
J. Shall serve the public use and interest;
K. Shall not be approved if the land or any part thereof is situated in a flood control zone as provided in Chapter 86.16 RCW, without approval of the state Department of Natural Resources; or
L. Shall not be approved if the land is unsuitable or inappropriate for subdivision due to flooding, inundation, swamp conditions, steep slopes, rock formations, hazardous soil conditions or other features likely to be harmful to the safety, welfare, and general health of the future residents or adjoining residents, until provision is made for construction of permanent protective improvements by the applicant and/or owner and the improvements are certified by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Washington, and approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 1190-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1016-08 § 2).