Comprehensive Guide to Subdivision and Platting Services in Oak Ridge
Subdivision and platting matters play a central role in shaping property development, land use, and the legal boundaries that control how parcels are divided and recorded. For property owners, developers, and municipalities in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, understanding the legal steps, local regulations, and filing requirements is essential to avoid delays and costly mistakes. This guide explains common processes, how land is legally subdivided and platted, and practical considerations for moving projects forward in Tennessee while addressing local planning board expectations and recording office procedures.
Managing a subdivision or platting project often involves coordination with surveyors, local planning departments, and title companies as well as attention to easements, setbacks, and utility access. Whether you are preparing a residential subdivision, adjusting lot lines, or consolidating parcels, clear legal documentation and accurate plats protect future transactions and development plans. This page outlines what to expect during consultation, the types of documents typically prepared, and how careful planning can reduce obstacles at approval and recording stages in Oak Ridge and across Anderson County.
Why Subdivision and Platting Matters for Property Owners and Developers
Proper handling of subdivision and platting delivers long-term benefits that include clean title records, legally enforceable lot boundaries, and smoother resale and financing transactions. A correctly prepared plat clarifies ownership lines, documents easements and access rights, and helps ensure compliance with local land use codes and zoning requirements. This clarity reduces disputes, supports secure development financing, and speeds permitting. For municipalities and developers alike, adherence to subdivision rules fosters predictable neighborhoods and infrastructure planning, making projects more attractive to buyers and lenders alike.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm's Real Estate Practice and Local Knowledge
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves property owners and developers across Tennessee, including Oak Ridge and Anderson County, offering focused assistance with subdivision and platting matters. Drawing on experience with local recording offices, county planning boards, and municipal ordinances, the firm helps clients navigate the procedural and legal steps needed to move projects forward. Services include drafting subdivision deeds, coordinating plat recordings, reviewing title matters tied to lot division, and advising on compliance with local regulations. The firm maintains direct lines of communication with surveyors, planners, and title professionals to streamline the process for clients.
Subdivision and platting refer to the legal process of dividing land into separate parcels and creating an official plat map that records the new lot lines, streets, easements, and other features. In Tennessee, subdivision approvals often require coordination with county or municipal planning departments and compliance with local subdivision regulations and zoning codes. The process generally involves surveys, preliminary and final plat submissions, public or administrative review, and recording the approved plat at the county register of deeds. Understanding these steps early helps avoid unexpected requirements or rework during approvals.
A recorded plat becomes the official public record that shows the legal description of each lot and documents rights of access and utility easements. Platting clarifies responsibilities for roads, drainage, and shared improvements and can affect future property taxes, title insurance, and financing options. Whether adjusting lot lines, creating a new residential subdivision, or resolving boundary issues, careful attention to survey accuracy, contiguous landowner notifications, and proper recording formality preserves the integrity of transactions and long-term land use planning in Oak Ridge and throughout Anderson County.
What a Plat and Subdivision Approval Mean Legally
A plat is a scaled map of a parcel or parcels of land that records legal boundaries, dimensions, street layouts, and easements. When a landowner seeks to divide property, a subdivision plan documents the proposed lot lines and supporting infrastructure, which local planning authorities then review for compliance with applicable standards. Final approval followed by recording the plat establishes the official legal descriptions and enables separate conveyances of individual lots. Accurate plats and properly executed deeds reduce title issues and clarify responsibilities for shared elements like access roads and stormwater facilities.
Key Components and Steps in Subdivision and Platting
Essential elements of subdivision and platting include a certified survey, preliminary plat submittal, compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations, addressing utility and drainage requirements, and preparing final recorded documents. The process typically begins with a surveyor preparing a boundary survey and proposed layout, followed by discussions with planning staff to identify potential obstacles. After meeting review conditions and obtaining approvals, the final plat is executed by the necessary parties and recorded. Understanding each step and required supporting documents helps streamline approvals and reduce delays.
Key Terms and Glossary for Subdivision and Platting
Familiarity with common terms used in subdivision and platting helps landowners and developers understand documents and communications from local officials. Important concepts include plat, dedication, easement, right-of-way, lot line adjustment, and final plat approval. This glossary provides clear definitions and context for each term as it relates to Tennessee practice and local procedures in Anderson County, so clients can review proposals, address conditions set by planning staff, and ensure that conveyances and recordings are prepared correctly for future transactions.
Plat
A plat is a drawn representation of a parcel or parcels of land showing boundaries, lot dimensions, streets, easements, and other physical features. Once approved by the relevant planning authority and recorded at the county level, a plat becomes part of the public record and provides the legal descriptions used in deeds. Plats can be preliminary or final, with preliminary plats used for initial review and final plats prepared for recording after conditions of approval are satisfied. Accurate plats are essential for clear title, financing, and property transfers.
Easement
An easement is a legal right that allows the use of a portion of land for a specific purpose by someone other than the owner, such as utility access, drainage, or shared driveways. Easements are often shown on plats so that future owners and third parties understand their scope and limitations. Permanent easements remain with the land through successive ownerships, while temporary easements may expire after certain conditions are met. Noting easements on the plat ensures they are disclosed in title searches and considered when evaluating development options.
Dedication
Dedication refers to the formal transfer of private land for public use, such as when a landowner sets aside streets or public spaces that will become owned and maintained by a municipality or county. Dedications are typically shown on the final plat and may be subject to acceptance by the governing authority. The dedication process ensures public infrastructure has a clear legal status, and acceptance often requires compliance with public improvement standards or agreements addressing maintenance responsibilities and phasing of construction.
Final Plat
The final plat is the official, approved map of a subdivision that includes all required signatures, certifications, and dedications needed for recording at the register of deeds. After meeting conditions from preliminary approvals and constructing or guaranteeing required improvements, the final plat is submitted for signatures and then recorded, creating legal lot descriptions for conveyance. Recording the final plat often triggers the ability to sell individual lots and secures the legal status of easements, rights-of-way, and other recorded features.
Comparing Limited Filings and Full Subdivision Approvals
Property owners may face choices between minor lot line adjustments, boundary surveys and recordable deeds versus full subdivision approval with a recorded plat. A limited approach can suffice for simple boundary adjustments or combining contiguous parcels when no new public infrastructure is needed, and local rules allow administrative handling. A comprehensive subdivision approval is generally required when creating multiple lots, dedicating public roads, or when zoning and infrastructure standards must be met through a formal review process. Evaluating project scope and long-term goals helps determine the appropriate path.
When a Limited Filing or Adjustment May Be Appropriate:
Boundary Line Adjustments and Lot Mergers
A limited approach is often sufficient when neighboring landowners simply need to adjust property lines or merge lots without creating additional lots for sale. These matters can frequently be resolved with a new survey, amended deeds, and a short-form plat or notation that satisfies county recording office requirements. Because no new public improvements are being dedicated and local subdivision standards are not triggered, the administrative process can be quicker and less expensive. However, confirming with local planning staff before proceeding avoids surprises about required filings.
Simple Record Corrections and Minor Technical Changes
Minor clerical corrections, updating an old plat to reflect current parcel lines, or correcting survey data often call for a limited filing rather than full subdivision review. In these cases, the focus is on ensuring the public record accurately reflects current ownership and boundaries, and a brief submittal with supporting survey documentation may be adequate. Even for technical changes, coordinating with the register of deeds and local planning department ensures the chosen recording method will be accepted and properly indexed for future title searches.
Why Full Subdivision Approval Is Often Beneficial for Development:
Creating Multiple Lots and Establishing Public Infrastructure
When a project creates multiple new lots, involves new street construction, or requires public utility extensions, comprehensive subdivision approval ensures the site layout meets local design standards and that infrastructure responsibilities are documented. Full review allows planning boards to confirm compliance with stormwater management, access, and public safety requirements. A recorded final plat and any required agreements establish the legal framework for maintenance, dedication, and responsibilities between developers and local authorities, which reduces uncertainty for buyers and lenders.
Complex Developments and Conditional Approvals
Complex projects with phasing, special conditions, or regulatory waivers benefit from a comprehensive approach because it creates a clear administrative record and formalizes any negotiated conditions. Planning staff may require performance guarantees, easement dedications, or construction drawings as conditions of approval. Addressing these elements thoroughly during the approval process protects future conveyances and helps ensure that each phase meets local standards. Proper documentation at the outset reduces litigation risk and enables smoother transactions later in the development lifecycle.
Advantages of a Thorough Subdivision and Platting Process
A comprehensive subdivision and platting strategy delivers clarity in legal ownership, easement rights, and responsibilities for public and private improvements. Producing a complete record of approvals, agreements, and recorded plats reduces title exceptions and improves marketability for newly created lots. Upfront attention to engineering, stormwater, and road design issues also avoids costly corrections during or after construction. For municipalities and financing entities, a well-documented approval process provides the confidence needed to support permitting, inspections, and lending decisions.
Comprehensive handling of subdivision matters helps align project goals with local planning standards while documenting obligations in recorded instruments. This approach creates a transparent trail of approvals and fulfills legal prerequisites for lot sales, enabling buyers and lenders to rely on recorded plats and consistent legal descriptions. Thorough planning and documentation reduce the chance of boundary disputes and ensure public improvements are constructed and accepted in a manner that preserves community planning objectives and protects property values over time.
Clear Title and Easement Documentation
One primary benefit of a comprehensive approach is the assurance that title records and easement rights are clearly reflected on recorded plats and related documents. When lot boundaries, rights-of-way, and utility corridors are accurately shown, subsequent buyers and lenders can rely on the public record. This clarity reduces title exceptions and streamlines future closings. Clear documentation also helps resolve disputes about access or maintenance responsibilities before they become legal conflicts, protecting both property values and long-term functionality of shared elements.
Improved Approval Predictability and Financial Confidence
A complete, well-documented approval process increases predictability for developers and landowners by clearly establishing the requirements needed for final sign-off and recording. Lenders and purchasers are more comfortable financing or acquiring lots when plats and agreements are in place, which can accelerate sales and reduce holding costs. By addressing engineering, drainage, and easement concerns up front, projects move through permitting more efficiently and avoid surprises that can delay construction or increase expenses during later stages.
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Practical Tips for Smooth Subdivision and Platting
Start with a Current Survey and Early Planning
Begin any lot division or platting project with an up-to-date boundary survey prepared by a licensed surveyor and engage with local planning staff early in the process. An accurate survey identifies existing constraints such as easements, flood zones, and topography that will influence layout and compliance. Early planning reduces surprises at submission and allows you to budget for required improvements. Coordinating survey work with title review and municipal requirements speeds approval and helps ensure the final plat can be recorded without major revisions.
Communicate with County and Municipal Officials
Document Agreements and Easements Clearly
When rights or responsibilities are shared among property owners, documenting those terms in recorded easements, covenants, or maintenance agreements is essential. Ensure such instruments are referenced on the plat and described in recorded deeds so that future owners recognize obligations related to access, utilities, and maintenance. Clear documentation reduces disputes and makes title searches and closings more efficient. When possible, coordinate drafting with title and survey professionals so the recorded instruments align precisely with the plat.
Why Oak Ridge Property Owners Use Subdivision and Platting Services
Property owners choose professional assistance for subdivision and platting to ensure legal descriptions, recordable plats, and approvals are completed correctly and in line with local codes. Professional guidance helps anticipate requirements for utilities, drainage, and street access, preventing approval delays. For developers and homeowners, accurate plats and recorded agreements make financing, sales, and future improvements straightforward. Working with knowledgeable legal and survey teams reduces uncertainty and creates a public record that supports long-term asset protection and marketability.
A service-focused approach helps clients navigate planning board conditions, prepare required documents for recording, and coordinate interactions with county officials and title companies. Whether the project is a simple lot line change or a larger subdivision, attention to procedural detail protects against title defects and easement disputes. Ensuring that plats reflect commitments for public or private improvements allows developers to move confidently through permitting and construction while giving purchasers and lenders clear documentation to support transactions and financing in Anderson County and Oak Ridge.
Common Situations That Trigger Subdivision and Platting Need
Typical scenarios that require subdivision or platting assistance include creating buildable lots from larger parcels, formalizing shared access via easement or right-of-way, and correcting or updating older recorded plats. Other common circumstances include dividing property for sale, formalizing lot line adjustments to resolve neighboring disputes, and preparing plats required by lenders for financing. Each scenario requires attention to local ordinances, survey accuracy, and proper instruments to ensure the recorded result supports future transactions without ambiguity.
Creating New Residential Lots
When an owner plans to divide land into multiple residential lots, the full subdivision process is generally required to address lot sizes, access, infrastructure, and stormwater controls. Preliminary discussions with planning staff identify which technical studies and improvements are necessary. Properly preparing and recording a final plat creates legal descriptions for each lot, sets rights and responsibilities for roads and utilities, and establishes the record needed for future sales and financing. Early coordination helps align design with local expectations.
Adjusting Lot Lines Between Neighbors
Lot line adjustments between neighboring owners often resolve boundary uncertainties or combine parcels for redevelopment. These changes typically require a boundary survey, signed deeds reflecting the agreed adjustments, and a recording method acceptable to the county. Because the adjustment affects legal descriptions and title records, documenting the new boundaries and making a clear record at the register of deeds protects future transfers. Administrative filings are frequently available for simple adjustments, making the process more efficient when no new lots are created.
Correcting or Updating Old Plats
Older plats sometimes contain inaccuracies or fail to reflect modern improvements, leading to confusion in title and development. Updating or correcting such plats involves obtaining a current survey, reconciling differences with historic records, and preparing a new recording that clarifies the legal situation. Whether correcting dimensions, clarifying easements, or consolidating legacy parcels, the corrected record reduces the risk of disputes and ensures that future conveyances rely on accurate, up-to-date documentation at the county level.
Oak Ridge Subdivision and Platting Services from Jay Johnson Law Firm
Jay Johnson Law Firm assists clients with all aspects of subdivision and platting in Oak Ridge, providing guidance from initial survey review through final plat recording. The firm helps prepare deeds, coordinate with surveyors and planning staff, and ensure required documents are properly executed and submitted. Whether you need a minor adjustment, final plat preparation, or coordination of conditions for approval, the firm’s practical approach focuses on clear communication with local offices and timely completion of recorded instruments for seamless property transactions.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Subdivision and Platting
Clients rely on a law firm that understands local procedures in Anderson County and Oak Ridge, and that can coordinate between surveyors, title companies, and planning departments. Jay Johnson Law Firm provides hands-on assistance preparing the legal instruments that accompany plats and ensuring that approvals translate into properly recorded documents. The firm emphasizes clarity in legal descriptions, adherence to municipal requirements, and practical solutions to address conditions of approval so projects proceed without administrative delay.
The firm focuses on reducing the administrative burden for property owners by managing submission materials, advising on recording requirements, and preparing deeds and easement instruments that align with the final plat. By maintaining open lines of communication with county staff and service providers, the firm helps clients anticipate potential issues and document agreements that protect interests across future transactions. This collaborative approach helps preserve property value and ensures that the recorded record supports clear transfers and financing.
For landowners considering development or boundary changes, having a consistent legal partner reduces friction with local processes and helps ensure that recorded documents meet the expectations of title companies and lenders. The firm assists in negotiating and documenting dedications or maintenance agreements, preparing the final plat for signature, and coordinating recording to create an accurate public record. This approach supports timely closings and reduces the likelihood of surprises in subsequent property dealings.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Subdivision or Platting Needs
How the Subdivision and Platting Process Works with Our Firm
The firm’s process begins with an initial consultation to review survey documents, title matters, and project goals, followed by coordination with surveyors and local planning staff to determine required approvals. The team prepares necessary legal instruments such as deeds, easements, and final plat documents, communicates with county officials about submission requirements, and assists with revisions or conditions of approval. Upon final sign-off, the firm coordinates recording to ensure the plat and related instruments become part of the public record.
Step One: Project Intake and Document Review
At intake, the firm reviews existing surveys, title commitments, and any preliminary submissions to identify legal or procedural hurdles. This review informs the preparation of deeds, easement instruments, and a checklist of local filing requirements. Early identification of needed studies, such as drainage or utility plans, reduces last-minute delays and helps develop a realistic timeline for approval. Clear communication with the client ensures everyone understands the sequence of necessary filings and the documentation required for successful recording.
Review of Survey and Title Materials
Careful review of the boundary survey and title documentation reveals existing easements, liens, or encumbrances that could affect the proposed division. By identifying these matters early, the firm can advise on required releases or additional instruments needed for recording. This step ensures the legal descriptions to be used on deeds and the final plat align with the survey and title, minimizing inconsistencies that could delay closings or financing and providing a clearer path forward for approval and recording.
Identifying Local Submission Requirements
Local planning departments and county offices often have distinct checklists for preliminary and final plat submissions. The firm gathers those requirements, confirms whether public notices or agency referrals are necessary, and coordinates with engineers or surveyors to supply the needed drawings and reports. Understanding these procedural criteria up front helps the client anticipate potential conditions of approval and prepare the supporting materials that will increase the likelihood of timely sign-off and recording at the register of deeds.
Step Two: Drafting and Negotiating Required Documents
After initial review, the firm prepares deeds, easements, dedications, and any maintenance or improvement agreements that must be executed alongside the final plat. The firm negotiates the terms of recorded instruments with relevant parties and coordinates any required signatures from municipalities or utilities. Ensuring precise language and consistent legal descriptions reduces title exceptions and clarifies responsibilities for shared facilities, making the recording process more straightforward and enforceable for future owners and stakeholders.
Drafting Deeds and Easement Instruments
Preparing deeds and easement documents involves translating survey data and approval conditions into clear, recordable instruments. These documents must accurately reference the final plat and specify rights, obligations, and maintenance responsibilities. The firm ensures the forms meet county recording standards and are consistent with any agreements made during the planning process. Proper drafting protects both current owners and future transferees by creating an unambiguous public record of land divisions and rights.
Coordinating Signatures and Agency Acceptances
Some dedications or improvements require formal acceptance by municipal or county authorities, which may necessitate additional documentation or resolutions. The firm coordinates with local officials to obtain required signatures or endorsements on the final plat and associated instruments. Confirming these acceptances before recording prevents rejections and ensures that public dedications or infrastructure commitments are properly reflected in the recorded file. This coordination helps transition projects from approval to recorded reality.
Step Three: Final Plat Execution and Recording
Once the final plat and accompanying documents are signed and any required conditions are satisfied, the firm arranges for recording at the county register of deeds. Recording the final plat legally establishes lot descriptions, easements, and dedications. The firm verifies indexing and title references and delivers recorded instruments to the client and title company so that sales and financing transactions can proceed. Proper recording completes the legal transition required to sell or finance newly created parcels.
Verification and Recording Logistics
Delivering Recorded Documents and Next Steps
Following recording, the firm provides clients and relevant service providers with copies of the recorded plat and any recorded easements or agreements. This documentation enables closings, financing, and development to move forward with confidence. The firm also advises on any post-recording obligations or follow-up administrative tasks, such as establishing homeowner maintenance responsibilities or monitoring acceptance of public improvements by municipal authorities, to ensure the project transitions smoothly from approval to use and sale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Subdivision and Platting
What is the difference between a subdivision and a plat?
A subdivision is the broader process of dividing land into multiple parcels, often requiring review by a planning department and compliance with local subdivision regulations. The plat is the document that results from this process; it is the map that shows the new lots, streets, easements, and other recorded features. Once a final plat is approved and recorded, it creates the legal descriptions for the newly created parcels and supports future conveyances and financing.The preliminary stage often involves conceptual or preliminary plats used for review and comment, while the final plat is the executed recordable document submitted for signatures and recording. Understanding the difference helps property owners determine whether they need full board approval or can pursue administrative filings for minor adjustments.
When is a recorded plat required in Anderson County?
A recorded plat is typically required when dividing land into new lots for sale or development, or when creating dedications for public streets and easements. Anderson County and municipal codes set thresholds for what triggers a formal subdivision review, so it is important to confirm local regulations. Recording the final plat makes the new lots legally recognized in the public record and provides the legal descriptions used in deeds.For minor boundary adjustments or lot mergers, some jurisdictions allow alternative forms of recording or short-form plats. Consulting county planning staff or a legal advisor early clarifies what documentation must be prepared and recorded to meet local requirements and ensures that the public record will support future transactions without ambiguity.
How long does the subdivision approval process typically take?
The timeline for subdivision approval varies based on project complexity, local review schedules, and whether required infrastructure or studies are already completed. Simple administrative adjustments may be resolved in weeks, while projects requiring preliminary review, public hearings, or infrastructure improvements can take several months or longer. Delays can arise from required revisions, agency referrals, or conditions of approval that must be satisfied before final sign-off.To shorten timelines, prepare complete submissions, address engineering and drainage concerns early, and maintain communication with planning staff. Coordinating survey, title, and engineering work before submission reduces the likelihood of extensive revisions and helps predict a realistic schedule for final approval and recording.
What documents are needed to record a final plat?
Recording a final plat generally requires the signed and sealed plat document, any required deeds dedicating public rights-of-way, certifications from surveyors, and signatures from municipal or county officials acknowledging acceptance of dedications. Additional documents may include maintenance agreements, performance guarantees, or evidence of required infrastructure work depending on local conditions. Fees and format requirements must also be met for acceptance by the register of deeds.Confirm specific checklist items with the county recording office and planning department before submission. Preparing all instruments together and ensuring consistent legal descriptions across documents simplifies recording and reduces the chance of rejection or needed resubmission due to technical deficiencies.
Can lot lines be adjusted without full subdivision approval?
Lot line adjustments and minor boundary corrections can often proceed without full subdivision approval, provided the change does not create new buildable lots or conflict with zoning and subdivision standards. These changes typically require a boundary survey, updated deeds, and a means of recording the adjustment that is acceptable to the county register of deeds. Administrative reviews are often available for straightforward cases.However, it is important to verify with local planning staff before proceeding because rules vary by jurisdiction. Even for simple adjustments, ensuring accurate surveys and proper documentation prevents title issues and ensures the recorded change will be recognized in future transactions.
How are easements shown and protected on a plat?
Easements are recorded instruments that grant rights to use a portion of land for a specific purpose and are usually shown on the plat so future owners understand the limitation. The plat will indicate the type, location, and extent of easements, ensuring they appear in title searches and affecting future development plans. Recording easements alongside the final plat helps protect utility and access rights through successive ownerships.To protect easements, ensure their language is clear and that they are referenced correctly on deeds and plats. Title insurance searches will identify recorded easements, and properly drafted instruments minimize ambiguity about obligations and permitted uses, supporting enforceability and reducing disputes among property owners and utilities.
Will recording a plat affect property taxes?
Recording a plat can influence property assessments because the creation of new lots or changes in parcel configuration may change the basis for tax assessment. Local tax assessors use recorded plats to determine parcel boundaries and may re-evaluate properties based on new lot splits or changes in land use. However, the exact tax effect depends on local assessment practices and any changes in lot size or classification.It is wise to consult the county assessor’s office to understand potential tax implications before finalizing lot divisions. Planning ahead for any changes in property tax obligations helps landowners budget for future liabilities and reduces surprises following recording.
What role does a surveyor play in the platting process?
A licensed surveyor provides the technical boundary survey and prepares the plat drawing that shows precise property lines, dimensions, and locations of improvements and easements. Surveyors ensure that the measurements and mapping conform to professional standards and local filing requirements. A reliable survey is the foundation for accurate legal descriptions and a recordable final plat.Coordinating survey work with legal review ensures that the legal descriptions on deeds and the plat match and that any identified encroachments or easements are addressed prior to recording. Early collaboration between surveying and legal services helps resolve technical issues before submission to planning and recording offices.
How do I confirm whether a proposed lot meets zoning requirements?
To confirm whether a proposed lot meets zoning requirements, review local zoning ordinances for minimum lot sizes, setback requirements, and permitted uses and consult with municipal planning staff. Zoning compliance may dictate feasible lot dimensions and required open space or infrastructure standards. Preliminary consultations with planning staff reduce the chance of designing lots that will be rejected during the subdivision review process.If variances or special permissions are needed, identify those requirements early and plan for the necessary public processes. Integrating zoning considerations with survey and engineering work helps create a proposal more likely to receive timely approvals and avoids costly redesigns.
Who should I contact first when planning a subdivision in Oak Ridge?
Start by contacting the county or municipal planning department to understand local subdivision and platting requirements and to obtain applicable checklists and submission deadlines. Planning staff can often advise whether a project needs preliminary plat approval, engineering studies, or public hearings. Early contact clarifies the scope of requirements and helps identify any jurisdictional nuances in Anderson County or Oak Ridge.After initial planning consultation, involve a licensed surveyor and legal counsel to prepare surveys, deeds, and required instruments. Coordinating these professionals from the outset ensures the submission package addresses technical and legal requirements and increases the likelihood of a smooth approval and recording process.