2013 Water System Plan, Volume II - Seattle City Clerk's Office - City ...

Chapter 18 Plan Review
Organization
Branch
SPU Solid Waste
Division
SPU Survey
SPU Field Operations
and Maintenance
Branch
SPU Utility Systems
Management Branch
(USM)
Involvement
billing.
Reviews detailed plans to assure new construction allows for safe access to solid waste
containers by property owners, citizens, and waste disposal employees and vehicles.
Reviews plans for work in the ROW to protect City property. SPU Survey may also
conduct or review surveys for SPU or other City projects.
Reviews plans to ensure that installed improvements can be operated and maintained using
standard procedures. Reviews to ensure that planned improvements will not negatively
affect the ability to operate and maintain existing SPU facilities. Coordinates plans and
construction by SPU crews.
Advises on complex policy issues that are escalated by SPU PMED.
18.3 TYPES OF PLAN REVIEW
The SPU PMED Division is involved in four general types of plan review: private development,
CIP projects, other agency projects, and property-related reviews. The degree of SPU
involvement may vary greatly depending on type of permit and project specifics.
18.3.1 Private Development Projects
Private development refers to projects that are constructed by private parties and modify, build,
or impact public water, stormwater, wastewater, or solid waste systems. The SMC regulates
private development and requires development permits for most private development.
Examples of private development include a new commercial building, subdivision of property,
or redevelopment of a block.
City of Seattle development permitting is organized into two primary categories (Figure 18-1):
Parcel. This development or redevelopment is on private property either owned by a
private party or a public agency. DPD manages parcel based permitting through the
Master Use, Building, and Side Sewer Permits and the plans are reviewed, approved,
and inspected through the DPD permit process.
Right-of-Way (ROW). This development or redevelopment is within the public ROW.
SDOT manages ROW permitting through its Street Use Permit Process.
Infrastructure review is managed by SDOT, however SPU Plan Review staff has an
active role in the 30%, 60% and 90% design phases, as well as preliminary design
guidance. ROW work can be conducted by a variety of entities including SDOT, SPU,
SCL, Franchise Utilities, and private developers.
As shown on Figure 18-1, some permits may cross boundaries. For example, a Side Sewer Permit
(a type of construction permit) is issued by DPD, although part of the permitted work occurs in
the ROW. Similarly, permitting issues may cross boundaries because drainage or wastewater
discharges from developed parcels can impact adjacent wetlands or SPU infrastructure.
SPU Design Standards and Guidelines 18-3