planning process building construction project

It is to be used only when there are exceptional and extraordinary circumstances associated with a proposed project. By filing a DR application, a member of the public is asking the Commission to exercise its discretionary power, effectively taking a second look at the proposed project.ĭiscretionary Review is a special power of the Commission, outside the normal building permit application approval process. This process of Commission consideration is commonly known as Discretionary Review, or simply DR. As part of their discretionary powers, they can require the permit applicant to make changes to the project. Normally, this discretion is delegated to the Planning Department, which approves applications that meet the minimum standards of the Planning Code.įrom time to time the Commission will review a permit application. The Planning Commission has discretion over all building permit applications. Planning staff can help with neighborhood outreach resources and contacts. Regardless of notification requirements, it is always a good idea to reach out to neighbors and neighborhood groups early in your project planning process to inform them about the project and to hear about any concerns they may have. Any approval or review that requires a hearing also requires notification.įor more information, including a list of the types of projects that require notification and a detailed guide to the process, see the Neighborhood Notification Handout and the Conditional Use Authorization Application, or contact the Planning Counter. For a Conditional Use application, a hearing before the Planning Commission is required, and all property owners within 300 feet of the property must be notified of the hearing.

For some projects, a pre-application meeting is required as well. In some cases, new decks, stairs, or other features on the exterior of your home will also require notification.

Most new construction or building expansion, as well as some applications to add dwelling units to an existing residential building, require notification to the public before permits can be reviewed and the project can be approved. Neighborhood Notification is mailed to residents and owners of properties located within 150 feet of the subject property and registered neighborhood groups for a 30-day public review period. When an applicant submits a Building Permit to the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), the Planning Department is the first reviewing agency and will conduct the Neighborhood Notification.

Planning process building construction project