Zoning Portal | Procedures | Certified Survey Map

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Certified Survey Map
Description: By definition, a certified survey map (CSM) is any division of land other than a subdivision (i.e., no more than 4 residential lots or more than 8 industrial/mixed use lots).

Decision-maker(s): Plan Commission makes a recommendation and the Common Council makes the final decision

Application fee: $525

Submittal deadline: 4 weeks prior to the Plan Commission meeting (normally held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month).

Forms: All application forms are posted on the City's website (Licenses & Permits).
 

General review process:
  1. Preliminary consultation. Before submitting an application, the applicant and/or their agent may meet with staff from Community Development and Engineering to review applicable regulations and procedures and the proposed project.
  2. Submittal of application materials. The subdivider submits an application and the original or copy of the CMS along with the application fee. If required, three copies of the site grading and drainage plan must be submitted as well.
  3. Determination of completeness. Department staff reviews the submitted materials to determine if the application is complete. If the application is not complete, the applicant will be notified of incomplete or missing requirements.
  4. Review comments. A review of this map will be conducted at the scheduled Plan Commission meeting. Prior to this the Plan Commission will receive comments from the Engineering Department and the Milwaukee County Treasurer. 
  5. Plan Commission recommendation. The Plan Commission makes a recommendation to the Common Council to (i) approve the certified survey map, (ii) approve the certified survey map with conditions, or (iii) reject the certified survey map. If the Plan Commission approves the CSM, a letter is sent to the Common Council recommending approval, including any conditions of approval. 
  6. Development agreement. If the Plan Commission recommends approval, the Engineering Department will begin preparing a development agreement for this land division if one is required. This agreement details the type of public improvements required, an estimated cost, a breakdown of what costs are the responsibilities of the developer, the City or others, as well as any outstanding special assessments. 
  7. Agreement and guarantee. Before the Common Council will approve the map, the development agreement must be signed by all parties of interest and submitted to the Engineering Department with a financial guarantee covering the developer’s /land owner’s cost.
  8. Council notification. Upon receipt of the signed agreement and financial  guarantee by the Engineering Department, the appropriate resolutions will be prepared by the Community Development staff and placed on the next council agenda.
  9. Common Council decision. The Common Council makes a decision to (i) approve the certified survey map, (ii) approve the certified survey map with conditions, or (iii) reject the certified survey map. If the Council approves the certified survey map, the Council will also act on the development agreement and street dedication if so required.
  10. Recording of map. The certified survey map is recorded with the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds. If the subdivider wishes to record deed restrictions for this land division, they must be submitted to and approved by the Director of Community Development and City Engineer prior to recording.
  11. Digital file. The subdivider must submit a digital file of the certified survey map in a form acceptable to the City Engineer.
  12. Recording data. After the map has been recorded, the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds will provide the Department of Community Development with the map’s recording information. These numbers will be placed on a file copy by the Community Development staff.

Note: Refer to Chapter 14 of the municipal code for all of the details relating to certified survey maps and the land division process.