Planning A Development
The Planning Commission assists with the review of proposed land uses and development projects in order to ensure compatibility with the Master Street Plan. The commission assists in implementing major planning initiatives, such as corridor and special area studies. The Planning Commission processes petitions for annexations, rezoning, site plan reviews, subdivisions, aesthetics, variations, and conditional use permits, applying innovative planning techniques to support residents and businesses, in navigating the regulatory review process.
Planning process
Subdivision approval and acceptance consists of five basic steps:
1. First, the developer or landowner may need information about plat requirements or about the plat approval process. Copies of the subdivision ordinance are listed in the Municipal Code. Questions can also be referred to the Planning Commission or the building inspector.
2. Six copies of the preliminary plat must be submitted to the building inspector or the planning commission secretary at least ten days before the commission meeting at which it is to be presented for approval. (The inspector must have time to review the plat before the meeting.) The developer must also submit a copy of the preliminary plat filing fee receipt either with the plats or at the meeting. Plat filing fees are paid in the treasurer’s office. Plats are placed on the agenda under ‘Planning Commission.’ (e.g., Preliminary Plat: Happy Hills Subdivision – John Doe)
Plat Size and Scale: All plats that are submitted to the Planning Commission for review shall be prepared on 18×23 inch sheets at a scale of one inch equals 100 feet. (One inch equals 200 feet is acceptable for larger areas.)
After the meeting, copies of the approved preliminary plat should be saved for:
• the building inspector
• the mayor’s office
• the planning commission secretary
• the public work’s director (if requested).
3. After all the subdivision improvements have been completed, the final plat can be placed on the agenda for approval. Six copies of the final plat must be submitted at least five days before the meeting. Proof that the final plat filing fee has been paid should be submitted with the plats or at the meeting.
4. If the final plat is approved, the Chairman must sign at least three copies. The owner of the subdivision property (and spouse, if applicable) must sign the ‘dedication of streets and easements’ on the plat. The dedication of streets and easements must be notarized. The signed plats should then be forwarded to the mayor’s office for placement on the city council agenda.
5. If all is in order and if the streets are approved by the Public Works Department; the city council will approve an ordinance accepting the dedicated streets into the city street system. Thirty days after the ordinance is adopted, the signed plats and the signed ordinance are recorded at the circuit clerk recorder’s office. The developer must pay to record the plat, while the city pays to record the ordinance. One plat stays at the recorder’s office. One ‘file-marked’ plat is filed in the mayor’s office, and the other ‘file-marked’ plat is returned to the subdivider.
Final Plat Fee: $50.00 payable to the City of Berryville
Development meetings
A development meeting is an informal initial step in the overall planning process. Any interested party can schedule a meeting with staff to discuss a proposed development or improvement of property within the City of Berryville.
What should I bring?
Bring a plat of survey, concept plans or your development ideas so that they can be discussed.
Who will attend?
City of Berryville staff members representing the Planning Commission and Inspectional Services will provide input and be available to answer any procedural, zoning, permitting, engineering or infrastructure questions. It is recommended that the developer invite all members of their development team with whom staff will interact on the particular project (including entitlements coordinators, architects, engineers, landscape architects, consultants, etc.).
What will be discussed?
Staff will provide information regarding the development process in Berryville and will be available during this time to answer any questions that you may have regarding the feasibility of your proposal.
How do I schedule a development meeting?
To schedule a development meeting, contact the Building Inspector at City Hall.
Subdivisions
The subdivision of property can also trigger expenses relating to the installation of outstanding/missing public improvements including roadway pavement, sidewalks, curb & gutter, and parkway trees.
State of Arkansas Licensed Professional Land Surveyors should reference the following additional information.
- Arkansas Property Boundary Surveys and Plats
- City of Berryville Municipal Code Chapter 15: Subdivision Regulations
- FEMA Map Service Center
- Refer to the City of Berryville Zoning Map
Historic preservation applications
Click HERE to learn how to get a property listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
