12-8 SITE PLAN REVIEW SECTION: Procedures for site plan review

1. Before filing an application for approval of a site development plan the applicant is encouraged to confer with the zoning administrator, city planner, sheriff department, health department, and fire department regarding the general proposal. Such action does not require formal application fees or filing of a site development plan or landscape plan and is not to be construed as an application for formal approval. No representation made by the zoning administrator or other city personnel or departments during such conference shall be binding upon the city with respect to an application subsequently submitted. (2) After the site plan, other applicable plans and related materials and fees have been submitted and the application has been determined by the zoning administrator to be complete, the application shall be reviewed and processed in coordination with the appropriate personnel and city departments. In considering and acting upon site plans and other applicable plans, the zoning administrator shall take into consideration the public health, safety, and welfare, the comfort and convenience of the public in general and of the immediate neighborhood in particular. If the plan is approved, the zoning administrator, shall certify approval on the site plan and state the conditions of such approval, if any. If the plan is disapproved, the zoning administrator shall indicate reasons in writing to the applicant. No permit may be issued by the zoning administrator, building inspector, or the planning commission without site plan approval. (3) Any appeal of the zoning administrator’s denial of a site plan shall be made to the board of adjustment. Any such appeal shall be filed within 30 days from the date of such denial. (4) The action of the zoning administrator approving the application shall be noted on all copies of the site plan to be retained in the record, including any changes or conditions required as part of the site plan approval. One such copy shall be returned to the applicant, and others retained as required for records or further action by the zoning administrator or other affected agencies of the city. (5) Building permits shall be issued in accordance with approved plans. A copy of the approved site plan shall be retained in the records of the office of the building inspector and all buildings and occupancy permits shall conform to the provisions of the site development plans. (6) Amendments or modifications to approved site plans must be submitted to the zoning administrator. Such modifications shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures and requirements of this chapter and shall be distributed to the appropriate city departments for review. The zoning administrator may waive this requirement where the zoning administrator has determined that such modification of the site plan has no significant impact upon the original proposal and still remains in conformance with city standards and regulations. (7) Approval of the site plan shall be void unless a building permit, conditional use permit or use of the land has commenced within 12 months from the date of approval. Upon request, revalidation of the site plan may be granted for an additional 12 months if all factors of the original site plan review are the same; provided, however, that written notice requesting revalidation must be received by the zoning administrator prior to expiration of the original 12-month period. (8) A stop work order shall be put on the project if any improvements are inconsistent with the approved site plan.