Development Process & Flowchart for Businesses (and Residents)

The flowchart below is designed to help businesses and city residents better understand:

the Overall Process for Zoning & Permitting

Can you get from “Starting a New Business?” (or “Building Something?“)  …navigate through various applications and requirements?  Ultimately you will want to get through inspections to get a “Certificate of Occupancy” (or other form of approval from our building official) for your new building, project, or business!…  For details on the city’s development review process, scroll down or click here.

IF THE ABOVE FLOWCHART DOES NOT DISPLAY correctly with your web browser / browser settings, a more generic version of the same flowchart with key stages may be viewed or downloaded (as a .png): HERE.

_* # of days may depend on city staff availability and board schedule; refer to calendar for meeting dates.

_** some costs are variable (e.g., for construction) and may include a processing fee; refer to fee schedule.
__(Please also note costs shown in overview process are for businesses; residential permitting may differ.)

_*** a Certificate of Occupancy (or other form of approval) is issued by SAFEbuilt:  269-729-9244

_
Development Review Process:

The following provides a general overview of key steps for developers and applicants including application intake, meeting scheduling and timelines*, as well as permitting & inspections.  For a detailed version of these steps with more information, refer to the shaded document further below… or click here.

1. submit site plan application at City Hall (attention to: City Clerk) — refer to instructions and application form.
   Note:  the due date for site plan applications varies, but is typically the first Monday of each month — see below…
   _
2. the City will schedule internal review team meeting and prepare draft agenda item(s) for Planning Commission.
   Note: internal review meetings are typically 10 days prior to regular PC meetings, which are usually the 4th Monday of each month (excepting holidays) → SEE SCHEDULE→
3. conduct internal review of plan requirements
4. review building/site performance requirements and identify approval standards.
   _
5. provide formal review memo to applicant, including remaining requirements (when applicable) and timeline._
6. for special permits: send public notice to newspaper and property owners within 300′ of subject property._
7. conduct PC meeting with public input and document remaining requirements when submitted plan is conditionally approved by PC, and provide this information to applicant.  Applicant should also be aware of building & trade permit requirements and related inspections – see chart.
8. following construction and building inspection, perform on-site review of building/development, including conditional items:
9. issue letter to SAFEbuilt for site plan approval, confirming completion of all conditional items (remaining requirements) before issuing Certificate of Occupancy.

For a DETAILED List and additional information on the aforementioned Review Process, refer to the gray-shaded document embedded below (or click here for a stand-alone Google document).

* for a general timeline refer to left side of flowchart at the top of this page.

Special Note: for applicants requiring an SEU Permit for marijuana establishments (with additional requirements including a “Comprehensive Operation Plan” with security and other additional requirement), refer to this MELA SOP.pdf  …as shown on the city’s corresponding ordinance webpage.

City Review Team and Detailed Review Process:

return to: overview | flowchart
__

_
return to: overview | flowchart
_