Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-45 and Ordinance No. 2024-28:  A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Arizona, declaring as a public record that certain document filed with the City Clerk entitled "PZ-24-00009 - Subdivision Process" and an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Arizona, amending the Flagstaff City Code Title 11, General Plans and Subdivisions.
 

1.  Adopt Resolution No. 2024-45
2. Read Ordinance No. 2024-28 by title only for the final time
3. City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2024-28 by title only (if approved above)
4. Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-28

City’s request modify City Code Title 11: General Plans and Subdivisions, Chapter 11-20: Subdivision and Land Split Regulations, to remove the requirement for Concept Plat; allow Minor Subdivisions of up to 10 lots instead of 4 lots; make all preliminary and final plats administrative unless modifications to development standards are requested, such as an Engineering modification or a Planned Residential Development; establish a separate process for land dedications affiliated with subdivisions; develop a formal plat amendment process; replace Development Master Plan with a Master Block Plat Process; and minor changes to lot split standards. This amendment will be a full replacement of the Chapter. The attachments include a tracked changes version showing the proposed amendments, as well as a clean version with all amendments included. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the proposed text amendment by a vote of 7-0.  However, the Commission was divided on the Plat Amendment provisions included in Section 11-20.40.070.  Two commissioners were in favor of leaving the drafted language as proposed by staff and three commissioners were interested in seeing alternative strategies.  The Commission overall did not want to delay the Council's review of the amendment.  Staff has prepared four alternative provisions, in addition to Exhibit A, for Council consideration based on discussion with the Planning & Zoning Commission.

There are no anticipated financial impacts affiliated with the proposed City Code text amendment.

There are no anticipated policy impacts affiliated with the proposed City Code text amendment.

There has not been a previous City Council decision on this ordinance.

The City Council may adopt, modify, or deny the proposed amendment.

There are four alternatives provided for the Plat Amendment language found in Section 11-20.40.070 of the proposed amendment.

The proposed amendment includes modifications to City Code Title 11: General Plans and Subdivisions, Chapter 11-20: Subdivision and Land Split Regulations, to streamline the subdivision review process by removing the requirement for concept plats and allowing administrative approvals of both Preliminary and Final Plats, to clarify and update plat submittal requirements, and to modify standards for Master Block Plats and Modified Subdivisions.
 
The proposed amendment includes:
 
Divisions (Chapter 11-20):

• Combines former Divisions 11-20.40, 11-20.50, 11-20.60, 11-20.70, 11-20.80, and 11-20.90, so that all required plat types fall under the general category of subdivision procedures and requirements.

Applicability (Section 11-20.30-010):

• Changes the Modified Subdivision Process to no more than 10 lots (previously 4) as permitted by Arizona Revised Statutes and includes land splits over 2.5 acres as there was previously no process for these type of land splits.

Preliminary Plat (11-20.40.030):

• Adds the following to preliminary plat submission requirements:
  • An ALTA survey that delineates all easements and encumbrances in graphic form completed within six months of the preliminary plat submittal.
  • A Notice of Right to Appeal Exactions Owner Certification.
  • Project Narrative requirements.

• Adds Mountain Line or public transit operator to listing of agencies that need to be consulted.
• Revises the Preliminary Plat Review and Approval process to allow for administrative approvals. 

Final Plat (11-20.40.040):

• Adds the following to final plat submission requirements:

• A closure report signed and sealed by a registered surveyor that indicates the boundary of the platted property to have a mathematical closure of not less than 0.01 feet.
• A registered surveyor shall provide a signed and sealed certification that there are no conflicting encumbrances.
  • Adds language about dedications.
  • Revises the Final Plat Review and Approval process to allow for administrative approvals.
  • Provides additional requirements for final plat recordation, including that all dedications have been accepted by Council, and the City Clerk is responsible for recording.

Master Block Plats (11-20.40.050):

• Revises the previous Master Development Plan into a Master Block Plat process to assist with the development of a large or complicated land area.

Modified Subdivision Process (11-20.40.060):

• Allows up to 10 lots through the modified subdivision process.
• Deletes the requirement for a Concept Plat.

Plat Amendment (11-20.40.070):

• This section creates different processes for amending subdivision plats including Replats and Certificate of Corrections.

Land Split or Combination Procedures and Requirements (11-20.050.020):

• Adds a requirement that water and sewer services be provided to the frontage of each lot in areas served by the City of Flagstaff.  Water or sewer services and/or yard lines shall not cross any other parcel.

• Achieve a well maintained community through comprehensive & equitable cod compliance, & development is compatible with community values.

• Policy LU.1.6. Establish greater flexibility in development standards and processes to assist developers in overcoming challenges posed by redevelopment and infill sites.
• Policy LU.1.7. Consider creative policy and planning tools as a means to incentivize redevelopment and infill.

• Create housing options for households at all income levels and family sized occupied by local residents.

• Create 4: Amend the Flagstaff Zoning Code to facilitate the development of all housing types.