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Preliminary Plans

Preliminary Expedited Subdivision Plans




Process Description:
The Preliminary Expedited Subdivision Plans process is a fast track review program to administratively approve preliminary plans (plans that do not require a public hearing) such as subdivisions, townhouse projects or group housing site plans. It is important to note that this service is not available for plans that require a public hearing, such as Preliminary Site Plans or Master Plans.

The Preliminary Expedited Subdivision review process is a coordinated effort between a client and their professional team partnering together in a plan review meeting with city staff to discuss the project and resolve issues.  The client’s project designer, project contact person and owner’s representative must be present at the time of the meeting, as well as any other professional whose seal is on the preliminary plans. This review process is required prior to the client submitting any plat for recording or submitting any plans for building permit approval. 

After the client submits plans to the City, a coordinating planner from the Department of City Planning  is assigned to manage the review. City staff representing specific departments and divisions such as Public Utilities, Public Works, Inspections, Transportation, Zoning Enforcement, Urban Design, Comprehensive Planning, Transit, Storm Water, Utilities, Fire, Zoning, Forestry and Greenways may be utilized depending on the type and location of the project. 

Additional staff with expertise in Planning, Transportation, Zoning Enforcement, Urban Design, Comprehensive Planning, Transit, Stormwater, Utilities, Fire, Zoning, Forestry and Greenways may be utilized depending on the type and location of the project.  Staff will review all plans submitted in accordance with regulations in City Code Part 10 Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, as well as policies, procedures and regulations adopted in the Comprehensive Plan, Public Utilities Handbook, Streets, Sidewalk and Driveway Access Manual, Stormwater Manual and the Solid Waste Handbook.
 
The program coordinator will record the proceedings of the first plan review meeting, listing any and all issues to be addressed in the plans before the next review cycle.  An "Expedited Preliminary Plans Review Comments Sheet" will be e-mailed or faxed to the client and owner within 24 hours after the first plan review meeting. This plan review documentation will serve as the basis for the final plan review cycle. 

The client is required to schedule the final review cycle when they are ready to submit a set of revised plans for review. The program coordinator is authorized to represent the view of any other participating department based on the previous review of submitted plans. If client adequately resolves all issues previously identified, they will receive an administrative approval staff report with a letter of decision signed by the Planning Director no sooner than three (3) business days after the final review meeting. This is only if all issues are addressed on the final plans as agreed to in the first plan review meeting and no other changes were made to the plans except those mutually agreed to in writing.

The Department of City Planning  is the starting point for the intake and processing of preliminary expedited subdivision plans. Please contact Jacque Baker in the Department of City Planning at (919) 516-2630 or  Jacque.Baker@ci.raleigh.nc.us to schedule plan reviews. A completed Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf ) must be received (mail, fax or email) within 48 hours of scheduling to confirm the review time and date. The scheduled date is tentative until this application is received.

These expedited review sessions are scheduled to occur one day per week on Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  All meetings are located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304, Raleigh NC.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Exceptions to the process:
This program is only available on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

  • If property is on a state road then all NCDOT driveway or encroachment permits must be obtained prior to building permit issuance
  • A completed Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf)  must be received (mail, fax or email) within 48 hours of requesting a tentative date to confirm the review meeting date and time
  • A check of $720 must be received in the submittal package to reserve the date
  • Ten (10) complete sets of preliminary plans must be submitted at least ten (10) business days prior to the scheduled plan review date.  Submittal package should also include payments for the minimum one-hour fee and the application fee for the specific development type 
  • A fee will be assessed and collected on the same day of the review in 15 minute increments for reviews that last longer than the scheduled one hour. See Fee Schedule and fee information below
  • If the client chooses to change over to the regular review process for Preliminary Subdivision Plans or Group Housing  after submittal for this expedited review, then the initial review fee for regular review is due in addition to the expedited review fees


How do I start the process?
Contact the program coordinator, Jacque Baker at (919) 516-2630 or email Jacque.baker@ci.raleigh.nc.us, to schedule a tentative date for the first plan review meeting.


What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package
  • Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf) 
  • Ten (10) complete sets of preliminary plans must be submitted at least ten (10) business days before the plans review date
  • Payment type accepted is a check made payable to: City of Raleigh for the minimum one-hour fee of $720
  • Application fee for the development type (see Fee Schedule)
  • Plan sets to include but not limited to: Existing conditions, proposed work, utilities, storm water, tree conservation, landscape and proposed building elevations

 

Where do I submit my application?
Office:               City of Raleigh
Department:    City Planning
Location:          Front Desk (sign in your plans)
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:     219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:          (919) 516-2626
Hours:              Thursdays only 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

What are the keys to success?

  • Before submitting plans for review, read and understand requirements in the City Code  Part 10 Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 as well as policies, procedures and regulations adopted in the Comprehensive Plan, Public Utilities Handbook, Streets, Sidewalk and Driveway Access Manual, Stormwater Manual and the Solid Waste Handbook
  • Completely and accurately fill out the correct Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf)
  • Submit the correct number of plan sets and review fee
  • Ensure that all the key members of your design and ownership team attend the scheduled meeting and are on time
  • If revisions are required, provide a thorough response to city staff comments when preparing re-submittal packages


What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

  • A $720 fee is required for the first hour; $200 additional per 15 minute increment, plus the applicable fee for specific development type, (refer to Fee Schedule ) payable at the time of submittal of the plans package (10) business days prior to the scheduled review
  • $300 first time cancellation/rescheduling fee charged, if made within 48 hours of receipt of the required Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf) payable prior to re-scheduling of the review
  • A $500 second time cancellation/re-scheduling fee charged, if made within 48 hours of receipt of the required Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf ) payable prior to the rescheduling of the review. (Note: a third cancellation will eliminate the project from expedited review)
  • $720 one hour fee charged, if cancelled anytime after 48 hours of receipt of the required Preliminary Plans Review Application - Subdivision (.doc) or (.pdf ) OR Group Housing (.doc) or (.pdf) payable prior to the commencement of the review
  • $500 re-review fee for the first hour, $200 additional per 15 minute increment, payable upon submittal of revised plans based on the initial review results – must be received ten (10) business days prior to re-review scheduled date
  • If the client chooses to change over to the regular review process for Preliminary Subdivision Plans or Group Housing  after submittal for this expedited review, then the initial review fee for regular review is due in addition to the expedited review fees
  • See the Fee Schedule
  • Payment type accepted is check made payable to: City of Raleigh
  • Fee payments are delivered to the Department of City Planning located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304, Raleigh NC

 

How long will this process take?

  • Review is scheduled to occur ten (10) business days from the date plans are submitted
  • A letter of decision takes an additional three (3) business days 
  • The first review cycle takes a minimum of 13 business days
  • Most projects require a second review, which will extend the cycle time


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For More Information Contact:
Jacque Baker
Planner II
Planning Department
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2630