Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 2 Lot Consolidations

This section establishes a review process for lot consolidations as authorized by Section 66499.20-3/4 of the Subdivision Map Act. A lot consolidation is the merging of two (2) or more contiguous parcels of land under the same ownership into one (1) parcel pursuant to an application by the property owner.

(§ 1, Ord. 1274-11 (CM), eff. February 24, 2011)

An application for a lot consolidation shall be initiated by submitting an application to the Community Development Director in accordance with Article 3 of this chapter and shall include the following additional information:

(a) A plot map showing the existing lot lines proposed to be merged, the location of any existing structures, easements, prominent trees, access to public streets, any adjoining property owned by any of the property owners, and any other data as required by the Community Development Director.

(b) A preliminary title report, showing all parties with a legal or equitable interest and all easements, covenants, and other encumbrances and interests in the affected property at the time of filing the lot line adjustment.

(c) A survey if required by City Engineer. The allowable error of closure on any portion of the legal description for the lot consolidation shall not exceed one in ten thousand (1/10,000) for field closures and one in twenty thousand (1/20,000) for calculated closures.

(d) All required fees.

(§ 1, Ord. 1274-11 (CM), eff. February 24, 2011)

The Community Development Director shall approve or conditionally approve a lot consolidation without public notice or hearing if, on the basis of the complete application, all of the following findings can be made:

(a) The lot consolidation is consistent with the general plan and any applicable specific plan, and the regulations of the zoning and building codes;

(b) The lots to be consolidated are under common ownership;

(c) The lot consolidation shall not impair existing easements or it shall include the relocation of existing easements, utilities, or infrastructure serving adjacent lots, parcels, or public lands and streets;

(d) The lot consolidation shall not impair existing access or create a need for access to adjacent lots or parcels;

(e) The lot consolidation shall not adjust or remove the boundary between parcels for which an improvement agreement is in effect and all required improvements have not been completed, unless the Community Development Director determines that the proposed lot consolidation will not significantly affect the improvements.

Upon a determination by the Community Development Director that the proposed lot consolidation meets all the requirements for approval or conditional approval, the Community Development Director shall execute a certificate of compliance as provided for in Chapter 13-12. The certificate of compliance shall be filed by the Community Development Director for recordation with the County Recorder’s office. Alternatively, at the applicant’s option, the applicant may cause to be recorded with the County Recorder’s office a parcel map evidencing the consolidation.

(§ 1, Ord. 1274-11 (CM), eff. February 24, 2011)