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Planning Department - Preliminary and Pre-Application Reviews

Preliminary Review (PR)

The Preliminary Review process is provided as a courtesy to developers who are contemplating the development of a site.  It is recommended, though not required, that developers submit preliminary "concept" plans to the Planning Department before filing an Initial Submittal (the formal application).

In addition to the Planning Department, the Engineering (Public Works), Engineering (Traffic), Fire Construction Services (FCS), Building and Safety, and the Police Departments will receive copies of the Preliminary Review application.   Staff in each department then will analyze the proposal and provide the applicable technical and design information relating to various elements including zoning, environmental constraints, site layout, building design, parking, street design, access, safety, and landscaping.  This information is then collected by the project planner and forwarded to the developer.  The information provided helps to ensure that the project that is proposed is consistent with the City's technical and design standards.

The submittal checklist for a Preliminary Review is available at the Planning Department's public information counter or as a download (pdf).  To download the checklist click here.

Pre-Application Review (PAR)

The Pre-Application Review is another process that is provided as a courtesy to developers who are contemplating the development of a site.  With this process, a developer is provided the opportunity to present his project to the Planning Commissioners during a workshop held immediately after a regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearing (every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month).  At this workshop, the developer presents conceptual plans of the project to obtain feedback on broad issues like site layout and architecture.  The Commissioners will discuss the project and provide guidance to the developer.

As the Pre-Application Review process provides the developer with valuable design input from the Planning Commission prior to committing to the time and expense of a formal application, this process is highly recommended for developers with limited experience with development projects in the City, for projects in prominent locations or having the potential to significantly impact the character of a neighborhood, for project sites that are larger than 15 acres, and for projects which depart from the design goals and policies of the Planning Commission and the City.

The submittal checklist for a Pre-Application Review is available at the Planning Department's public information counter or as a download (pdf).  To download the checklist click here.

This page was updated on March 6, 2007.  Questions or comments?  Please e-mail me.