Chapter 19.22
LEVEL I – LAND DIVISION REVIEW PROCEDURE

Sections:

19.22.010    Purpose.

19.22.020    When required.

19.22.030    Development authorization application – Level I.

19.22.040    Notice procedures.

19.22.050    Determination of completeness, resubmittal and expiration of application.

19.22.060    Review procedures – Level I.

19.22.070    Approval.

19.22.080    Denial.

19.22.090    Appeal.

19.22.010 Purpose.

The purpose of Level I procedure is to handle applications that are decided on the basis of compliance with very specific standards that involve the least amount of discretion or policy interpretation in the review process. Applications can only be reviewed under Level I process when they involve no proposed deviation from ordinance development standards. Level I applications receive administrative staff review only, with development authorization issued by the director or designee. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.020 When required.

Level I development authorization applications are required for the following actions processed under this title:

A. Boundary line adjustments (Chapter 19.16 SMC).

B. Final subdivision plats (Chapter 19.10 SMC).

C. All other land division proposals determined by the director to be most closely similar to Level I uses. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.030 Development authorization application – Level I.

Level I applications shall be made in writing to the director on forms supplied by the director. The application shall contain all information called for in the chapter that addresses administration of the type of application. The director or his designee may request any other information necessary to clarify the application or determine compliance with and provide for the enforcement of this code. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.040 Notice procedures.

Public notice of Level I land division applications shall be as provided in SMC 19.34.050 or 19.34.060, as appropriate. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.050 Determination of completeness, resubmittal and expiration of application.

A. The developer shall submit the application to the director along with the appropriate fees.

B. Within 28 working days of the date of receipt of either an application or resubmitted and/or additional information, the director shall determine if the application is complete and accurate for the purposes of vesting.

C. The city shall, within 28 working days of receiving an application, mail a written notice to the applicant providing one of the following:

1. A determination of completeness; or

2. A determination of incompleteness and a statement(s) regarding what is necessary to make the application complete.

D. The application shall not be accepted for formal filing and shall vest no rights until issuance of a formal determination of completeness by the director.

E. Resubmittal.

1. Resubmittals with the necessary information making the application complete within 90 days of original filing will not be subject to additional filing fees.

2. Resubmittals between 90 days and six months of notification to provide additional information that are returned with the information that makes the application complete will be charged additional fees as provided by the city of Sultan annual fee schedule.

F. Expiration of Application. Failure to resubmit a complete application responding to all requirements and standards of the determination of incompleteness or inaccuracy within six months of the notification of such determination shall result in expiration of the application. Any subsequent application for subdivision of the subject property shall be subject to a new application process and all fees applicable to a preliminary subdivision application. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.060 Review procedures – Level I.

A. Revision. A requirement for revision shall include:

1. A brief direction as to the code standards that are not met, but that could be met with appropriate revision.

2. Shall indicate the timelines for resubmittal as provided in SMC 19.22.050.

B. Rejection. Rejection of an application shall include:

1. A statement of the criteria/standards that are not met by the application;

2. A brief explanation as to why no reasonable revision of the proposal can be expected to rectify and why that is the case.

C. Development Review Committee. Proposals requiring review by the development review committee will be sent to the committee by the director no later than 14 days after the application has been determined to be complete.

D. Additional Agency Review. The director may also, but is not required to, solicit comments from other resource persons or public agencies he or she may determine may be affected by a proposal that is categorically exempt under SEPA.

E. SEPA Review. If SEPA review is required, such review will be conducted by the responsible official in accordance with the provisions of SMC Title 17 and Chapter 197-11 WAC. No approval or permit shall be issued on the proposal until SEPA review is complete.

F. Director’s Decision. The director or his/her designee shall complete review of a Level I application and approve the application if all of the requirements of this chapter have been met.

The director or his/her designee shall prepare a written decision with supporting facts and reasons within 90 days of receipt of a complete application. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.070 Approval.

The director shall issue a development authorization when it is determined by the director with confirmation by the city administrator that the proposal complies with the provisions of this code and the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.080 Denial.

When an application is denied, the director shall state the specific reasons and shall cite the specific chapters and sections of this code upon which the denial is based. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))

19.22.090 Appeal.

Any decision by the director and city administrator to grant or deny issuance of a Level I development authorization use may be appealed to the hearing examiner under the provisions of Chapter 16.06 SMC, Permit Processing.

Requests for additional or more detailed information and determinations that a higher review level is needed are not appealable. (Ord. 1284-17 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 1144-12 § 2 (Exh. A))