A. Preapplication Conference: Prior to filing an application for relief under section 5-10-8, 5-10-9, or 5-10-10 of this chapter, the applicant shall first meet with the zoning administrator and any other city staff the zoning administrator deems advisable. The purpose of this preapplication conference shall be to ensure that the application is in proper form for action by the board. For routine or simple matters, the zoning administrator may waive this requirement in his or her discretion.
B. Application: All applications for variations, special uses, and amendments, shall be filed with the zoning administrator. Such applications shall be filed in such numbers of copies, be in such form, and contain such information as the board may prescribe from time to time.
C. Transmission To Board: Upon his or her determination that an application is complete and is in proper form, the zoning administrator shall transmit the application to the secretary of the board and the city clerk for action. The zoning administrator may refuse to transmit any application which is not complete and does not contain documents required by this zoning ordinance or reasonably required by the zoning administrator.
D. Application Deposit (Escrow Account): When payment of direct costs incurred by the City for processing an application, the applicant shall pay all outside publication, consultants' fees including City Attorney fees incurred by the City during review of the application. Each applicant shall pay to the City an amount determined by the Director of Building and Development to be setup as an escrow account to pay for review fees. The deposit typically ranges from five hundred dollars ($500.00) to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) depending on the scope of the project. If amounts for reviews exceed the balance in the escrow account, then the developer will be required to reimburse the account upon notice from the City. Should there be a balance remaining in the escrow account upon final completion of the development, the applicant will be refunded the remaining balance, without interest, upon request. If no request for refund is received for one year after the final completion date of the development, the remaining balance will no longer be available for refund. (Ord. 0-06-49, 12-18-2006; amd. Ord. O-18-05, 3-12-2018; Ord. O-21-33, 12-13-2021)