The City of Lakewood utilizes a two-part review procedure for subdivision projects. The first part – the preliminary plat – is used to communicate the scope and specific details of the proposed subdivision. Environmental review under SEPA is performed at this stage. Specific requirements for the implementation of the subdivision are crafted in response to review comments by responsible agencies and the environmental review.

A preliminary plat application is acted upon by the City’s Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner’s decision is the primary discretionary action by the City on the subdivision proposal. After final conclusion with regard to the preliminary plat, the developer is required to install subdivision improvements and utilities, and take other actions as required by the conditions of approval of the preliminary plat in order to implement the subdivision.

Upon completion of required infrastructure improvements and satisfaction of the requirements of the preliminary plat approval, the applicant shall file a final map following the procedures in Chapter 17.16 LMC. The proposed final plat map is reviewed by the Community Development Director and City Engineer for conformance with the terms of the preliminary plat approval. The City Council shall thereafter review the final plat as indicated in LMC 17.16.040.

Upon review and approval by the City Council, the final map shall be signed by all responsible agencies and shall be duly recorded with Pierce County. Legal lots are created upon recordation of the final plat map. [Ord. 591 § 18, 2015; Ord. 60 § 1, 1996.]