Your Development Project Manager

Ensuring Your Project Review Is Timely, Predictable

The Development Project Manager is one of the key features the City of San Diego's new development-review processing system.

Not an advocate for your project, but someone you can always contact in the City to find out your review's progress, to ensure disputes between codes and regulations are settled, and to keep your project on a predictable review schedule.

And, up-front in the project review, the Development Project Manager will give you a "road map" of all the reviews you'll need.

This brochure will give you an idea of the role of your Development Project Manager.

• Q: What is the role of the Development Project Manager?

  A: The Development Project Manager is there to make sure reviews are timely, that the review process is predictable, and that your project gets to a decision point, whether it be a public hearing, redesign or construction permit issuance. The Development Project Manager does this by having a preliminary review meeting, as well as developing -- and monitoring -- a schedule for both staff reviews and you, the customer.

In addition, the Development Project Manager serves as your single point of contact... you can call a Development Project Manager at any time.

You can still call any member of your review team directly -- they'll still have to answer questions concerning plan review on specific items such as Uniform Building Code, environmental or public improvement requirements -- but the Development Project Manager is always there to handle complex issues and the comprehensive review.

• Q: Will the Development Project Manager make sure I can build my project?

  A: No, but he or she will make sure you get to a clear decision point. The Development Project Manager is not an advocate for your project, and cannot design it for you. He or she will make sure you fully understand what City requirements there are.

  For example, your property may not be able to handle the project you've proposed, due to environmental, hillside slope, fire regulations, height limits or other regulations. The Development Project Manager will make sure you understand this in a timely fashion. He or she will also ensure that issues are identified early in the process, so we can suggest ways to modify your project to comply with regulations.

• Q: How do I get a Development Project Manager?

A: Discretionary projects -- those requiring a public hearing -- are processed using a project manager. You'll be assigned one when you present your project plans to the City. The Development Project Manager will be assigned based on the complexity and type of project.

• Q: Does this mean I can't call my plan checker individually?

  A: For information about or a clarification of an individual reviewer's comments, the customer can contact the reviewers directly. Each specialist, from plumbing and mechanical to grading, will still be there. The Development Project Manager makes sure communications occurs on the review team, a schedule is set and complex issues are resolved, such as when code issues conflict.

  The Development Project Manager needs to be included in any discussions that are resolving conflicting project-design issues, such as when a redesign of a portion of the project is needed, or involves competing code requirements. His or her job is to keep your project reviews coordinated and predictable.

• Q: You mean the Development Project Manager is setting a schedule for me to submit my plans? What if I don't meet the schedule that's set?

  A: The Development Project Manager will set the submittal and correction schedule after consulting with you. If you need to change that schedule, we ask that you contact the Development Project Manager as soon as possible.

  If you can't meet your schedule, other dates may change. Examples: if you have a public hearing as part of your review and it is postponed; the date for final action on your construction permit could be changed.

• Q: What do I do if I don't agree with a Development Project Manager's decision?

  A: The Development Project Manager doesn't make technical decisions, rather he or she will ensure that the code specialists work out an interpretation that provides you with a viable option. It's then up to you to decide whether to proceed.

  If an issues arises with your project with which you don't agree, the Development Project Manager is your contact to get the problem resolved. Just notify the Development Project Manager and he or she will take up your concerns with the appropriate staff level, up to and including the Development Services Director.

  The Development Project Manager, however, will still be there to ensure that you still get to a decision-point.

• Q: Who's the Development Project Manager working for, me or the City?

  A: Remember, the Development Project Manager is there to ensure your project review proceeds in a timely and predictable fashion. We can't always give you the answer you want -- the City's codes and regulations don't allow everything. So, the answer may be "no, you can't build that," but, we will give you an option as to what you can build.

For more information on Development Project Managers e-mail us at dsdweb@sandiego.gov .