(a) An applicant may submit to the Planning, Public Works and Environmental Services Department, for consideration by Planning staff and reviewing agencies, a “pre-application” of preliminary development plans for a project that would require the issuance of discretionary permit(s). The intent of the pre-application process is to give an applicant an opportunity to “test the waters” prior to submitting a formal application. The pre-application process provides the applicant with an initial understanding of the issues and type of conditions of approval that could be raised by the project. A pre-application does not result in any formal approval of any permits by the County, but instead is concluded with a letter and meeting with the applicant.
(b) After submittal of a pre-application form and payment of a fee, the form and any other provided information is distributed by Planning staff to appropriate County and other reviewing agencies for response and comments. The pre-application may be referred to the Development Review Committee. Following staff and agency review, a letter is prepared by staff and a meeting scheduled with the applicant. The purpose of the letter and meeting is to summarize the issues raised by the proposed project and the conditions and mitigation measures that could be applied if a subsequent formal application were to be filed with the County. Other departments and public agencies may be invited to attend the pre-application conference.
(c) A pre-application and conference may be required by the Director as set forth in Section 8-2.209(b) of this article.
(d) No formal application for the development project being considered may be accepted until a pre-application letter and conference is considered complete by the Director.
(e) The fee associated with the pre-application conference shall be credited to any subsequent formal application for the proposed development project, provided the subsequent formal application is submitted within a timely manner.
(Ord. 1445, eff. August 14, 2014)