Opinion ID: 2605870
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: relevant statutes and ordinances

Text: AS 29.33.150 provided, at the times relevant herein: Platting jurisdiction and power. The planning commission acting as the platting board has jurisdiction over platting and shall adopt and publish rules and regulations to implement this power. Jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to, the control of (1) form, size, and other aspects of subdivisions, dedications, and vacations of land; (2) dimensions of lots or tracts; (3) street width, arrangement, and right-of-way, including allowance for access to lots and installation of street paving, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, sewers, water lines, drainage, and other public utility facilities and improvements. AS 29.33.160(a) provided, at the times relevant herein: (a) Procedure. The platting board shall within 60 days of filing approve or disapprove the plat or shall return it to the applicant for modification or correction. If the board fails to act, the plat is considered approved and a certificate of approval shall be issued by the board on demand. The applicant for plat approval may consent to the extension of the period for action by the board. The board shall state on its record and in writing to the applicant its reason for disapproval of a plat. AS 29.33.245 provides: Delegations. The assembly may by ordinance authorize the planning commission, the platting board and the board of adjustment to delegate powers to hear and decide cases under this chapter in a manner authorized by the ordinance, including but not limited to delegations to one or more members of the commission or board, to other boards or commissions, or to a hearing officer designated by the commission or board. The assembly shall prescribe procedures for hearings and appeals. The commission or board shall hear and decide appeals de novo. AS 29.33.080(b)(3) provides that the Planning Commission shall prepare and recommend to the Assembly, among other things, a subdivision ordinance. The subdivision ordinance of the Kenai Peninsula Borough is contained in Title 20 of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough. The first section of Title 20 states the purpose of the ordinance: The purpose of this title is to promote an adequate and efficient street and road system, to provide utility easements, to provide minimum standards of survey accuracy and proper preparation of plats, and to protect and improve the health, safety and general welfare of the people. KPB § 20.04.010. KPB 20.12.010 describes the purpose of the preliminary platting process: Preliminary discussion  purpose. A. The purpose of the preliminary plat process is to enable the subdivider to discuss his preliminary studies and the layout with the planning director, or the director's designee, in order to: (1) facilitate the preparation of the required plans and plats in accordance with his title; (2) to avoid unnecessary delay and expense; and (3) to give the planning commission and the planning director ample time to study the proposed subdivision and its relation to the overall needs of the Kenai Peninsula Borough and its residents. KPB 20.12.090 describes the effect of approval of a preliminary plat: Approval of the preliminary plat shall not constitute approval of the final plat, but means only that the basic lot and street design is acceptable. The subdivider is on notice that it is his responsibility to provide all the information required in this ordinance and to prepare a correct final plat. KPB 20.16.170 concerns approval of a final plat. It provides: Approval  Authority  Certificate issued when. A. The commission shall approve, modify or disapprove the final plat of subdivision or dedication within 56 days after the date of receipt of the final plat and shall transmit to the subdivider a copy of the minutes containing the commission's action and the commission's official statement of findings and reasons for any denial or modification. The commission shall not approve a final plat which does not meet the requirements of the ordinance or deviates in any significant way from the preliminary plat as approved. If the commission modifies or denies a final plat, the commission shall note in its motion those sections of this title with which the proposed final plat does not comply and the grounds for finding noncompliance. Where appropriate, the planning commission may adopt as its statement of findings justifying denial of a final plat the findings of the pertinent staff report transmitted to the planning commission by the planning director. B. If not acted upon within 56 days from the date of receipt, the plat shall be deemed to have been approved and a certificate to the effect shall be issued by the commission on demand; provided, however, that the applicant for plat approval may consent to the extension of such period. C. Upon approval of a final plat, by the planning director or planning commission, the applicant shall present the original plat for signature of the planning director or mayor within one year of such approval. Failure to adhere to the time limits of this section shall void the final approval of the plat. D. When signed by the mayor or planning director, the original shall be filed with the district recorder within 5 working days by the director or surveyor. KPB 2.40.080 provides, in pertinent part: D. If on appeal the planning commission acting as platting board fails to approve a plat, further appeal may be taken to the assembly of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, provided written notice thereof is filed with the borough clerk within 10 days after applicant is notified of the adverse decision of the planning commission by personal service or certified mail. E. Where a decision failing to approve a plat is appealed to the borough assembly, the case on appeal shall be heard de novo.