• easier access to land use information,
• additional assistance in preparing land use proposals for application, and
• a more efficient review of accepted projects.

To identify land use issues early in the process, all land use proposals will now be screened by a core group of experienced planners prior to application acceptance. Pre-application site visits will now required for all development proposing land disturbance, including short plats. By the time an applicant has an intake appointment, the project will be well-scoped and the application materials complete. The improved intake and review process will also correlate the extent of the review with the complexity of the proposal.

Of those projects assessed as non-complex MUPs during the application screening process a determination will be made as to which development proposals will be identified as "simple." Simple projects will be reviewed by planners on a shorter timeframe subject to an abbreviated analysis and decision.

Complex projects will receive an extended and more focused screening by an experienced planner earlier in the process. The planner will work directly with the applicant to ensure that their submittal responds to anticipated technical and policy issues prior to application acceptance.

New Application Requirements Will Facilitate Better Assistance from DCLU Staff
The new requirements for the land use intake application process include:

• All land use applications, including subdivisions and lot boundary adjustments, now require submittal of an Address Records Worksheet.* This worksheet allows us to generate a project number and begin research on the proposal.
• Pre-application site visits are now required for all development proposing land disturbance, including short plats. This site visit will result in more complete information during the application screening process. A Pre-Application Site Visit Request Form* must be submitted in advance. (NOTE: Pre-application site visits are not required for unit subdivisions and lot boundary adjustments.)
• Screening of application materials by appointment with a land use planner in the Applicant Services Center is now required prior to application submittal. Screening will be performed by a core group of experienced planners and will be used to determine the completeness of the plans, forms, and other documents prior to submittal. The scope and content of the technical information necessary for application will be screened to ensure that land use issues will be efficiently reviewed.
• After application materials have been screened by a planner and determined to be complete a Land Use Intake Appointment will be scheduled with one of the core group of experienced planners.

* The forms mentioned above are available at www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/publications/forms or from our Applicant Services Center, located on the 20th floor of Key Tower at 700 Fifth Avenue, (206) 684-8850.

Project Review Efficiency Improvements Continue
Land use planners will continue their role as review process facilitators. On projects with land use components, applicants will be contacted at intake, after the public comment period, and at other milestones in the review process.

At these points, the review planner will provide a status report and the next steps in the review process. The review planner will be the contact person for process questions and substantive land use issues. This facilitation has resulted in fewer hand-offs and more accountability for the review process. A report on progress toward 120-day review will be forthcoming.