Procedures, Permitting Process and Approvals for Right-of-Way Improvements
2.9 Deviation Request Process for Street Right-of-Way Improvements
2.9.1 What is a Deviation Request
The design criteria presented in this Manual have been developed to assure that Seattle’s street rights-of-way are designed in such a manner as to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to minimize post-construction maintenance and repair costs.
An applicant can request a deviation from the design criteria in this Manual for a street right-of-way improvement project by following the process defined in this section. In the case of a deviation request, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will require the applicant to follow the procedure defined in Section 2.9.2 Deviation Request Submittal Process – see below . The final decision on whether a deviation request is granted lies with SDOT.
Any project that modifies or potentially impacts the operation or maintenance of traffic signals or street lights will be deemed a deviation. The SDOT signal or lighting staff lead will immediately begin working with developer or agents to determine if the deviation request is feasible.
The Deviation Request Process defined in this section applies to deviations from the design criteria presented in this Manual, and does not apply to or replace, any other deviation, variance or exception process required for the City of Seattle permits or approvals or those of other agencies. Requests to modify or waive a Land Use Code requirement for street improvements must be submitted to DPD (see DPD CAM 205 for instructions to apply for Street and Alley Improvement Exceptions).
2.9.2 Deviation Request Submittal Process
Initial contact : An applicant will contact SDOT Street Use staff to request a deviation for a street right-of-way improvement.
Optional design guidance meeting : The applicant has the option to participate in a Design Guidance meeting with SDOT staff to share contact information and discuss information relative to proposed street right-of-way improvements, including potential deviations and the necessary information that SDOT will required to evaluate the deviation request prior to permit submittal. The deviation review is completed by SDOT staff and an hourly fee is charged to the applicant. Refer to the Street Use fee schedule. The total cost of the deviation review will depend upon the complexity of the request.
Deviation request submittal: If the applicant chooses to apply for a deviation, he or she must submit the following:
Site Address, property lines, street right-of-way and existing easement dimensions.
Topographic survey of existing site including underground and overhead utilities.
Proposed improvements at a conceptual design level illustrating proposed building footprint, modifications to roadways, modifications to traffic signals, driveways, utility connections, stormwater facilities, pedestrian facilities, retaining structures, and landscape features.
Description of how proposed work is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, Transportation Strategic Plan, as well as any subarea transportation plans or neighborhood plans relevant to the area.
Engineering justification for the deviation proposal. The justification should describe the impacts of meeting the standard and why the deviation is the preferred alterative.
Proposed project schedule.
Information on existing and predicted vehicular and pedestrian traffic volumes, when changes are expected as a result of the project.
If any addition or modification of traffic signals is part of the deviation request, the applicant can access information from the signal files in Traffic Operations and other as-built records.
Any additional information defined in the optional Design Guidance meeting that SDOT determine necessary to evaluate the deviation request.
The permit reviewer will do a quick review of the deviation request to determine if it meets the minimum submittal requirements.
Deviation request coordination and review : When a deviation request is submitted, SDOT’s Street Use staff will consult with appropriate staff within SDOT and other departments that will be impacted by the deviation. If no further information is needed to process the deviation request, SDOT will typically process the request and notify the applicant if the request has been accepted or rejected within one week of the submittal. If City staff require additional information to process the request, the SDOT reviewer will alert the applicant to the expected timeframe for review of the deviation submittal (typically not more than 30 days).
Permit submittal : Depending on the nature of the improvement, SDOT may require the deviation request to be signed and sealed by a professional engineer and approved by SDOT before the issuance of a Street Right-of-Way Improvement Permit. Following acceptance or rejection of the deviation request, the applicant will submit finalized plans for the street right-of-way improvement to SDOT’s Street Use Division.
Note: Approved deviation requests will apply for a period of two years from the date of approval. After the two year period, the applicant will be required to modify the proposal to be consistent with the standards that are current at the time they submit a permit application.
