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

Chapter 18 Plan Review
subject to confirmation by the Seattle Fire Department. Under most circumstances, the SPU
WAC Administrator completes these Certificates within five business days. DPD requires an
approved WAC before it will issue a building permit for new development.
Not all projects require a WAC. DPD or SPU will determine whether a WAC is required based on
a seven-item WAA checklist. If a developer meets all criteria listed on the checklist, DPD issues a
Water Availability Approval without requiring a WAC from SPU. If project conditions change,
DPD’s Water Availability Approval can be invalidated. If so, SPU requires a WAC.
A. WAC Process
Normally the WAC is obtained during Preliminary Assessment, which automatically requests it.
However, a developer can request assurance at any time that there is sufficient water available
for a proposed new development. Or, at any time, a developer can complete a WAC request
form and submit it to DPD. The SPU plan reviewer should follow the WAC process .
Tip: DPD routes WAC requests with a site or utility plan to SPU for plan review. While the
WAC typically indicates if a project needs to upgrade or build a new water main, SPU water
policy can be unclear as to the best application of this requirement. If so, consult with the SPU
Plan Review Supervisor.
B. WAC Appeal
The developer can appeal WAC conditions by submitting a WAC Customer Appeal to the plan
review supervisor. The appeals go through the following process:
1. Plan review supervisor conducts a bi-weekly meeting that includes the following:
a. Engineering plan reviewer who developed the WAC
b. Water lead
c. Engineering Plan Review Manager
d. USM Water Business Area Manager
e. Customer Service (not at all meetings)
2. Meeting attendees decide whether to approve or deny the appeal, or possibly negotiate
alternatives with the developer. On occasion, site visits or follow-up research may be
required.
3. Engineering plan reviewer prepares and sends the developer a letter stating the
decision.
The entire process should be completed within two weeks. Applicants who receive a denial
letter may re-appeal if new information is presented that was not previously considered. When
all appeals have been heard, if the applicant still believes the decision was in error, they can
elevate the issue to the Project Management and Engineering Director in the Project Delivery
Branch at SPU.
C. Water Availability Inquiry (WAI)
The Water Availability Inquiry (WAI) follows the same steps as the WAC process, but is based on
a preliminary understanding of proposed land use. Under most circumstances, it is completed in
SPU Design Standards and Guidelines 18-11