Pre-Submittal Meetings & Conceptual Conversations#
When an owner or developer has an idea to build something new or use a piece of land in a new way, they will have a conversation with City staff prior to submitting a formal application.
Applicants can choose between the Conceptual Review or the Preliminary Design Review process to discuss their development plans with key groups and address important requirements, standards, and potential issues early on. These processes help identify and resolve major problems at a high level. They offer an opportunity to dive into details, looking at the design specifics and any changes or exceptions that might be needed. Both reviews involve working with various departments and agencies to ensure the project meets necessary guidelines before a formal application is submitted.
Two Types of Pre-Application Meetings#
There are two types of pre-submittal meetings available for development review applicants:
Conceptual Review#
WHO:
- Anyone with a land development idea.
WHAT:
- First, confirm that your proposed use is permitted in your zone district.
- Use the Table of Primary Uses to check which uses are allowed in your zone. You can find this table starting on page four of Article 4 in the Land Use Code.
- A sketch plan or site plan must be submitted along with this completed application .
WHEN:
- Conceptual Review meetings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis three Thursdays each month.
- There are three available meeting slots: 9:15AM, 10:15AM, and 11:15AM.
HOW:
- Submit your application materials via email to preappmeeting@fcgov.com.
- If you do not have access to email, other accommodations can be made by visiting 281 N. College Ave. or by calling Planning at 970-416-4311.
- Note: Partial submittals will not be accepted.
- Once your materials are received, a team member will respond with the next available meeting date, and get your project added to the schedule.
PRICE:
- Conceptual Design Review meetings are free and they are offered at no charge to the applicant.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, meeting time slots are generally available 6-8 weeks after an application is submitted. Meetings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a meeting time, please submit a completed application.
Please note that all application materials you submit are considered public records and may be made available to anyone who requests them, including the media.
Conceptual Design Review meetings are held on Thursday mornings and last 45 minutes.
During the meeting, you will meet with staff from various departments, including Planning, Engineering, Light & Power, Stormwater, Water/Wastewater, Traffic Operations, and Poudre Fire Authority. Staff will provide comments to assist you in preparing your detailed formal project application. Please note that no approvals or denials of development proposals will occur during this meeting.
Preliminary Design Review#
WHO:
- Potential applicants who are exploring more complex or larger proposals requiring a greater level of collaboration and problem-solving.
WHAT:
- First, establish that your proposed use for the property is permittable in your zone district. You can use the Table of Primary Uses to see what uses are allowed in your zone district. This table starts on the fourth page of Article 4 of the Land Use Code.
- The process involves a collaborative review from multiple departments and agencies, including planning, utilities, fire, and other impacted agencies.
WHEN:
- Preliminary Design Review meetings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis for Wednesday mornings at 8:30AM. There is only one meeting available each week.
HOW:
- Submit your application materials via email to preappmeeting@fcgov.com.
- A detailed submittal package, including a completed application and required documents (site plans, narratives, preliminary civil plans, renderings, photos of existing conditions on the site, etc.), must be provided. Please include detailed project ideas.
- Partial submittals will not be accepted.
- Once your materials are received, a team member will respond with the next available meeting date, and get your project added to the schedule.
PRICE:
- There is a $1,000 application fee for Preliminary Design Review meetings.
The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) is a helpful step for applicants working on larger or more complicated development projects. It allows them to address requirements, standards, and possible issues before submitting a formal application.
It is strongly recommended for projects that may need changes to existing standards.
Applicants must submit a complete package, including preliminary civil and site plans, renderings, and a detailed project description. During the review, the applicant gets input from different departments to help find problems and dive into solutions.
PDR meetings are held on Wednesday mornings, scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and last 90 minutes.
After submitting your application, staff will have 3 weeks to review the materials provided ahead of the scheduled meeting. During the meeting, you’ll meet with staff from departments like Planning, Engineering, and Poudre Fire Authority, who will give feedback to help with your detailed application.
Keep in mind that any submitted materials are public records. The review costs $1,000, and no approval or denial of the project happens at this stage.
IMPORTANT: Please be aware that any information you submit is classified as a public record and may be disclosed upon request, including to media outlets.
What happens next?#
-
![Arrows pointing right indicating a process moving from an idea phase to a phase where plans are being legally recorded]()
After someone presents their idea to the City and receives feedback (Phase 0: Gray), they will create and submit a formal application (Phase 1: Red). After several rounds of back and forth with the City, the project may be approved. Then they will work with the City to nail down construction details (Phase 2: Orange) and "vest" or "file" their plans to make them legally tied to the land (Phase 3: Yellow).
See our Development Review Applications page.
We're Here to Help#
Want to learn more about pre-application meetings?
Email preappmeeting@fcgov.com
Need answers to other questions?