Chapter 16A.11
PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW
Sections:
16A.11.020 Review for Consistency
16A.11.010 General
A. The purpose of the application review process is to review complete applications for consistency and conformance with applicable development regulations prior to proceeding to hearing or rendering permit decisions.
B. Additional information, corrected or revised plans, or studies may be requested during the review, if determined to be needed. Any time period during which the applicant has been requested to provide such information is excluded from the time frames outlined in Chapter 16A.15 SMC. (Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)
16A.11.020 Review for Consistency
A. A proposed project’s consistency with the City’s development standards and regulations adopted under Chapter 36.70A RCW, or, in the absence of applicable development regulations, the appropriate elements of the Comprehensive Plan adopted under Chapter 36.70A RCW, shall be determined by the City during project review by consideration of:
1. The type of land use;
2. The level of development, such as units per acre or other measures of density;
3. Infrastructure, including public facilities and services needed to serve the development;
4. The characteristics of the development, such as building design standards and adherence to all applicable life safety standards; and
5. The design of the project in conformity with the City’s standards.
Upon determination by the City that a complete application contains sufficient information to determine consistency and conformance with City regulations, the project permit application will be reviewed and can proceed to hearing or a project permit decision rendered administratively.
During project review, the City or any subsequent reviewing body shall not reexamine alternatives to or hear appeals on the items identified in this section, except for issues of code interpretation. Nothing in this section limits the City’s authority to approve, condition, or deny a project as provided in its development regulations and its policies adopted under RCW 43.21C.060. Project review shall be used to identify specific project design and conditions relating to the character of development, such as the details of site plans, curb cuts, drainage swales, transportation demand management, or other measures, to mitigate a proposal’s probable adverse environmental impacts, if applicable.
B. Review Procedure. The general procedure for review of an application is for the receiving department to route the application to all other departments that will contribute to the review. After each department has reviewed the application with respect to their applicable regulations and standards, comments will be compiled and a comment letter sent to the applicant. Subsequent reviews will be required until all comments have been addressed in revised plans and documents.
For procedures specific to a permit type, please see instructions attached to the permit application. (Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)
16A.11.030 SEPA Review
A. Development subject to the provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) shall be reviewed in accordance with the policies and procedures contained in Chapter 16A.23 SMC.
B. Timing of Review. SEPA review will generally be conducted at the preliminary design phase of a project, allowing for site plan review prior to the submittal of detailed building plans. This will allow the applicant to integrate required mitigations into the project design with less cost.
Despite the general advantage to an applicant of submitting for SEPA review at the preliminary design phase, prior to submittal of detailed building plans, the City will accept and review building permit applications concurrently with SEPA review if a developer chooses to sign a specific authorization for such joint review. (Ord. 18-1004 § 1; Ord. 04-1008 § 10; Ord. 03-1020 § 2)