A preliminary plat or site condominium proposal must include the following in triplicate for preliminary plat approval. The following is intended to be a guide and is not inclusive of all items that may be necessary for a specific site. Additional information can be obtained from the Consultant Checklist (pdf) and from the Kalamazoo County Sanitary Code.

A completed Subdivision and Site Condominium Site Report, preliminary plat or site condominium drawing and supporting documentation along with the appropriate fee must be submitted. Proposals that are received without the required fee will be held with no action until the fee is received.

Provide a site narrative. Include an overall description of the project and the consultant's opinion on the available water supply and impact of onsite sewage treatment systems to the area. Include a description of watersheds and groundwater flow direction. The narrative should include any environmental impact the development will have on the surrounding area. Also note if there are any concerns with past land uses or existing groundwater contamination either point source or non-point source. For example, were row crops present that required high rates of nitrogen fertilizer? Were animals or livestock present on the property? Were any dumps present on the property, and if so, what is the nature of dumped materials?

The preliminary plat drawing must include existing and proposed contours at a minimum of 5-foot intervals. If the property is waterfront or has high groundwater within 6 feet of the surface, the preliminary plat must include 2-foot contours. If high groundwater is found within 6 feet of the surface, a backhoe cut will be required to better determine the depth to high groundwater.

High groundwater will be determined by the presence of redoximorphic features, otherwise known as mottling, indicative of fluctuations of water to that elevation.

If extensive cutting and filling will be done, it must be shown on the preliminary plat. Include a description of the type of fill to be used, only 2NS sand or other material approved by the Environmental Health Division can be utilized. Pre-leveling and/or filling will need to be completed prior to our office granting preliminary approval.

The proposed units must be clearly labeled with unit/lot number and property dimensions. Any river, stream, creek, lake, county drain, subsurface drain, lagoon, slip, waterway, bay canal, and/or artificial impoundments must be included on the preliminary plat.

The high water level of the storm water detention or retention ponds must be clearly identified along with normal high water level for waterfront property. Floodplain (established 100-year floodplain area and elevation) must also be included if applicable.

Buildings, high tension lines, utility easements, excavations, bridges, culverts, sewage systems, water wells (includes test wells), soil boring locations, underground storage tanks, drainage easements, etc.... must be on the preliminary plat drawing. If neighboring properties have onsite sewage treatment systems or onsite water supplies, those must also be identified on the preliminary plat drawing.

Building set back to roads, waterfront, lot/unit lines, limited and general common elements must be identified on the preliminary plat drawing.

If the project will utilize onsite sewage treatment systems, there must be one soil evaluation per lot or unit minimum in the proposed sewage treatment system location. This soil evaluation must be to a depth of 8 feet or greater. Additionally, provide at least two soil borings to a depth of 15 feet on the subject property. This could be in the road or proposed storm water detention basin. Soil descriptions must follow the USDA Soil Classification system and include texture, structure and signs of high ground water. Additional borings may be necessary depending upon soil material, depth to high groundwater, and soil profile consistencies. If high groundwater is found within 6 feet of the surface, a backhoe cut will be required to better determine the depth to high groundwater.

If proposed lot/unit sizes are less than 30,000 square feet and/or slopes greater than 12% are on the property, a development plan which identifies the proposed home, water well, driveway, and sewage treatment system locations is required on the preliminary plat: A minimum of 6000 square feet must be identified for initial and replacement onsite sewage treatment system in sandy soils. This area will be increased if identified soil is less permeable than sand and/or water table is found within 8 feet of the ground surface. Insure access to the identified sewage treatment system and water well locations. If slopes in the designated sewage treatment system area are in excess of 12%, a grading plan for pre-leveling or filling must also be included. If filling is necessary, only 2NS sand or other material approved by the Environmental Health Division can be utilized. Filling over parent soils is not acceptable if high groundwater is within 2 feet of the surface. Pre-leveling and/or filling will need to be completed prior to our office granting preliminary approval.

Proposed sewage treatment system locations need to meet the following minimum isolation requirements: 50 feet from a private residential water well, 10 feet from a basement wall, 20 feet from a slope exceeding 12%, 10 feet from a property/unit boundary, 25 feet from a closed storm drain or footing drains not connected to surface water, 50 feet from an open storm drain or footing drains with a direct connection to surface water, 100 feet from a storm water basin, creek, stream, lake, river and/or other water body or 25 feet from a retention/detention storm water area where water will be collected intermittently only (include soil boring logs and a statement to this affect in the proposal). The bottom of the absorption system must be 4 feet above high groundwater. Isolation distance requirements may be increased if a groundwater threat is identified.

If the project will be dependent on onsite water supplies, an evaluation of the area for groundwater quality and quantity must be conducted and include specific evidence of potable, adequate, reliable and protected groundwater aquifer. The consultant must provide a statement proposing appropriate water well construction restrictions based on site conditions including recommended total depth, submergence requirement, and clay penetration. Include a description of aquitards and aquicludes. A statement qualifying the proposed restrictions as technically feasible and providing adequate long-term protection of drinking water for well owners in the proposed development is required.

In completing the proposal, consider past and present land use and its potential impact on the groundwater resources. For example, were row crops present that required high rates of nitrogen fertilizer? Were animals or livestock present on the property? Were any dumps present on the property, and if so, what is the nature of dumped materials?

Information required to determine if an acceptable water supply system can be approved shall include existing water information and/or the drilling of a test well(s). Include area water well records identifying the depth to static water table, the aquifer material, and any significant clay layers present in the vicinity. Water well and pump records should be recent and relevant. If the water well does not conform to the minimum standards for a land division, the water well record is not relevant.

Well record data need to support the following with favorable water quality: Penetration through an impervious clay layer of 10 feet or more and/or submergence of the screen 50 feet below the static water table and/or an increase in horizontal isolation between the well and potential source of groundwater contamination.

Water quality data correlating to the included well records must include the following testing parameters: Coliform bacteria, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, nitrate, nitrite, sodium, sulfate, and arsenic. Other water quality parameters may be required.

If a test well is drilled, the data submitted must include a performance test demonstrating that water can be obtained at a pumping rate not less than 10 gallons per minute for not less than a 4 hour period of time. The time it takes the well to fully recover to pre-pumping water level must be included for accurate interpretation of the data. We have created suggested test well instructions for your benefit. Additionally, we have a Pump Test Data Sheet (pdf) for the well driller to use while performing the pump test.

If a contaminant level is reported to be greater than 50% of the State's maximum contaminant levels for nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, or arsenic, the water supply system cannot be approved. If secondary (aesthetic) contaminant levels are exceeded for chloride, hardness, iron, sodium, or sulfate, this information will be noted in the deed restrictions.

Contact us with any questions concerning approval of a development. A determination of our review will be given within 30 days of receipt of documentation and fees.

Helpful Links:

Printable Consultant Checklist (pdf)
Application for 3 or less parcels (pdf)
Subdivision Rules (pdf)
Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment