Development Review & Approval Process

A Development Review and Approval Process Flow Chart has been created which displays the typical paths to successful review and approval.  A description of some of the major steps in the process is provided below.  For more information on the development review process, please contact Bill Green, Planning & Zoning Coordinator, at BillG@ci.waseca.mn.us or at 507-835-9738.

Pre-Application Meetings:
The first step in any development process is a pre-application meeting(s) between the owner/developer and City staff.  At this meeting; staff, the developer, and the developer's representatives (engineer, surveyor, architect, etc.), review and discuss preliminary project details.  This is an early opportunity to identify project goals, the applicable zoning and land use requirements, and the relevant review and approval processes.  It is at this time that opportunities and challenges associated with the project are also preliminarily identified.  (Complicated or controversial projects will likely require more than one meeting.)

Formal Submittal of Plans and Applications:
Based on discussions during the pre-application meetings, the developer prepares and submits more detailed formal project plans and, if required, applies for land use or zoning approvals.  The information submitted at this stage is detailed enough for the project to proceed through the formal review and approval process, which involves the distribution of project information to other City departments for review and comment.

City Department Review:
Once project information has been distributed, staff from impacted City departments will meet to address concerns and make comments based on each member's specific area of expertise.  The resulting comments are then compiled and communicated to the developer.  Required plan revisions are then made by the developer and submitted along with any additional requested information.  There may need to be more meetings between the developer and staff during this time.  Plan revisions and staff reviews will be necessary until all department comments have been addressed.  When all necessary corrections have been made and the plans are approved, the developer can apply for a building permit.  If the project requires land use/zoning approvals, the application must then be presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Planning Commission Review:
A detailed report is prepared and presented by City staff to the Planning & Zoning Commission. 
The report describes the details of the proposed project, analyzes the appropriateness of the land use request, provides a recommendation to approve or deny the request, and, if applicable, outlines conditions for approval.  A copy of the report will be provided to the developer and any other interested parties upon request.  The Commission then conducts a public hearing to discuss the request, make a recommendation to approve or deny, and adopt stipulations for approval.  The Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation and findings are then forwarded to the City Council for formal action.

City Council Action:
City staff prepares a memorandum summarizing the proposed project and land use requests, public hearing input, and Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations.  If necessary, a resolution or ordinance is also drafted to convey a land use or zoning decision that the City Council may decide to make.  At a regular meeting, the City Council will discuss the project and either approve, conditionally approve, or deny the request.  If an ordinance is required to approve the request, the City Council will be required to hold a public hearing.  A signed copy of the resolution or ordinance conveying the decision of the City Council is then recorded at the Waseca County Recorder's Office and provided to the developer.

Building Permit:
After City Council approval of their request(s), the developer may apply for a Building Permit.  A building permit application must be accompanied by the site development and landscape plan, building elevations, detailed building plans, and any other information requested by staff.  Once submitted, the Building Official begins his review and informs the developer of any necessary corrections or modifications.  After all required revisions are completed, a building permit is issued and construction can begin.