Article 1 — General Provisions

(a)

This title is for the purpose of adopting subdivision regulations for the City. Such regulations shall be in addition to and shall be considered as supplementing the provisions of the "Subdivision Map Act" of the State (California Government Code sections 66410 et. seq.) as they now exist or as they may be hereafter amended.

(b)

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this title shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. To protect the public among other purposes, such provisions are intended to provide directly or indirectly for adequate, safe and wholesome community improvements, municipal services and other public facilities.

(Ord. No. 776, § 1(Exh. A), eff. 9-5-2014)

(a)

Subdivision.

(1)

"Subdivision" means the division, by any subdivider, of any unit or units of improved or unimproved land, or any portion thereof, shown on the latest equalized county assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease, or financing, whether immediate or future. Property shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easement, or railroad rights-of-way (California Government Code section 66424).

(2)

"Subdivision" includes a condominium project, as defined in Section 4125 of the Civil Code, a community apartment project, as defined in Section 4105 of the Civil Code, or the conversion of five (5) or more existing dwelling units to a stock cooperative, as defined in Section 4190 of the Civil Code (California Government Code section 66424).

(3)

Any conveyance of land to or from a governmental agency, public entity, public utility, or subsidiary of a public utility for conveyance to that public utility for rights-of-way shall not be considered a division of land for purposes of computing the number of parcels. For purposes of this section, any conveyance of land to or from a governmental agency shall include a fee interest, a leasehold interest, an easement, or a license (California Government Code section 66426.5).

(b)

Subdivider.

(1)

"Subdivider" means a person, firm, corporation, partnership or association who proposes to divide, divides or causes to be divided real property into a subdivision for himself or for others except that employees and consultants of such persons or entities, acting in such capacity, are not "subdividers" (California Government Code section 66423).

(c)

Tentative map, parcel map and final map.

(1)

Tentative map.

a.

A tentative map refers to a map made for the purpose of showing the design and improvement of a proposed subdivision and the existing conditions in and around it.

b.

The tentative map review procedure is designed to insure that such improvements as drainage, street alignment, grade and width and sanitary facilities conform to City regulations and policies and are arranged in the best possible manner to serve the public.

c.

Numerous other features are reviewed such as location and size of easements, right-of-way, trees, lot sizes and configurations, traffic access and grading.

d.

Once the City Council approves the tentative map, it becomes a parcel or final map.

(2)

Parcel map and final map.

a.

Parcel maps and final maps convert tentative maps into legal land subdivisions

b.

A final map deals with a "major" subdivision - five (5) or more lots, units or dwelling units.

c.

A Parcel map deals with a "minor" subdivision - four (4) or less lots, units or dwelling units.

(3)

Tentative, parcel and final maps are prepared by licensed surveyors and registered civil engineers to depict in exact detail how the land is subdivided, and their corresponding features such as rights-of-way and easements.

(d)

Vesting tentative maps.

(1)

A vesting tentative map is a map which confers a vested right to proceed with development for a specified period of time after recordation. It is at the option of the subdivider and shall not be a prerequisite to any proposed subdivision.

(Ord. No. 776, § 1(Exh. A), eff. 9-5-2014)

(a)

The City Attorney shall be responsible for approving as to form all subdivision improvement agreements and improvement securities.

(b)

The City Council shall review and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove tentative maps for major subdivisions. The City Council shall have final jurisdiction in the approval of final maps and improvement agreements and the acceptance by the city of lands and/or improvements as may be proposed for dedication to the City for major subdivisions. The City Council shall act as the final appeal board for hearing appeals of the approval, conditional approval or disapproval of tentative maps for minor subdivisions.

(c)

The Planning Commission is the advisory agency with respect to:

(1)

Reviewing and approving, conditionally approving or disapproving tentative maps for minor and major subdivisions;

(2)

Determining methods of compliance with park land dedication requirements;

(3)

Acting on variances;

(4)

Extending tentative maps and tentative parcel maps;

(5)

Reviewing of objections to final map or parcel map by public utilities or public entities with easements which may be adversely affected by such maps;

(6)

Modifying approvals of final map or parcel map.

(d)

The Community Development Director shall be responsible for design analysis for conformity with the General Plan and this title; for the environmental quality of the subdivision design; and for the expedient processing of subdivision maps, parcel maps, and reports, as provided herein. The Community Development Director is the advisory agency with respect to the following:

(1)

Determinations of fair market value of the property of a subdivider for purposes of calculation of fees in lieu of park land dedication;

(2)

Designations of names of public and private streets;

(3)

Certificates of compliance;

(4)

Notices of violation;

(5)

Grading on the site of subdivisions;

(6)

Security for undergrounding of utilities;

(7)

Waiver of the requirements for soils reports;

(8)

Plans and specifications for required landscaping, except for street trees;

(9)

Waiver of tentative maps for combinations of lots.

(10)

Installation of street trees.

(e)

The Community Development Director or his/her designee shall be the advisory agency in respect to:

(1)

Establishing design and construction details, standards and specifications;

(2)

Determining if proposed subdivision improvements comply with the provisions of this chapter and the Subdivision Map Act and for reporting the findings together with any recommendations for approval, or conditional approval, of the tentative map to the Community Development Director for major subdivisions and minor subdivisions.

(3)

The processing of final maps, reversion to acreage maps and amended maps; the processing and approval of subdivision improvement plans, lot line adjustments, mergers, and certificates of compliance.

(4)

Examining and stating that final maps are in substantial conformance with the approved tentative map.

(5)

The inspection and approval of subdivision improvements.

(6)

The acceptance of dedications of all streets, alleys, including access rights and abutter's rights, drainage easements, elementary school sites, parks, and other easements and parcels of land intended for public use.

(7)

The recording of a notice of completion of private subdivision improvements when not to be maintained by the city.

(8)

The collection of all required deposits and fees.

(f)

The Subdivider shall prepare maps consistent with the standards contained herein, and design public improvements consistent with the public improvement standards of the City of Coalinga. The subdivider shall process said maps in accordance with the regulations set forth herein.

(Ord. No. 776, § 1(Exh. A), eff. 9-5-2014)