Commission conditionally approves Rivertown preliminary plat, requires naming and documentation fixes

The Batesville Planning Commission conditionally approved the Rivertown preliminary plat after staff and the applicant addressed outstanding items needed before final plat signing.

Staff told the commission the preliminary submittal had been updated several times since an initial October 31 filing and that the current plat used an inconsistent name (the package referred to both "Rivertown Business District" and "Rivertown Subdivision"). Staff recommended either separate final plats for commercial and residential portions or consistent renaming so records and deed language match. The applicant said the development is mixed-use and asked the commission to approve the unfazed preliminary plat to enable construction to begin; the applicant said final plats for phased portions could follow as work progresses.

Staff listed several conditions that must be addressed prior to sign-off on any final plat: add or clarify the plat name and a surveyor signature with date; ensure the certificate of plat approval is labeled 'preliminary plat' rather than 'final plat'; add a note indicating that lots without color are residential; show water-course designations or a note identifying unnamed watercourses; and include the required 40-foot buffer where commercial property abuts residential property. Staff also noted recorded declarations of covenants and bill of assurance documents for some commercial blocks are in process and that a finalized bill of assurance is required at the final-plat stage.

The commission asked that the outstanding items be resolved before final plat sign-off but allowed the preliminary plat to be signed conditionally so construction can commence once the listed technical items and agency approvals (water/sewer, stormwater) are in place.