Land Use Applications

The Planning Division is responsible for processing most of the land use applications that are established by Article II of the Land Development Code. There are two basic types of land use applications:

• General Development includes land use decisions made by Community Development Department staff. 
• Special Development includes decisions made at a public hearing by City Council, Planning Commission, or Historic Resources Commission (HRC). 

With the exception of Property Line Adjustments and applications to remove a residential Planned Development Overlay, all land use applications allow for public comment prior to a decision being made. Article II of the Land Development Code describes the supporting documentation required with each application type, how it is processed, and what applicable review criteria are used in the decision making process. Please contact the Planning Division if you have any questions about the land use application review process.

Below are flow charts illustrating the review and decision making process for the various types of applications:

• Process for General Development applications (PDF)
• Process for most Special Development applications (PDF)
  • These are applications that are approved by the Planning Commission or HRC
• Process for Annexation, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, LDC Text Amendment, or Extension of Services applications (PDF)
  • These are applications that are approved by City Council after getting a recommendation from the Planning Commission
• Process for applications to Vacate Public Lands and Plats (PDF)
  • These are applications that are approved by City Council, without getting a recommendation from the Planning Commission