"Our Mission is to encourage and promote safe, quality development and construction in the City of Salina."
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Phone No: 785-309-5715
Development Services for the City of Salina and for commercial development in Saline County is spearheaded by the Development Review Team (DRT). The DRT is comprised of a cross section of the City’s key staff members who work with development projects on a daily basis and is managed by Mike Schrage, Deputy City Manager and Director of Development Services. The mission of the DRT is to have close contact with the project representatives, provide thorough review and feedback on every major proposed project, and to resolve issues at the earliest possible stage of development. The Quick Problem Resolution (QPR) process is available throughout the development sequence. It provides an opportunity to promptly have any concern regarding a specific development project addressed at he highest administrative level. The development sequence typically begins by scheduling a meeting with the DRT. The DRT ensures efficient coordination of development services through effective use of staff time, consistent technical interpretation and quality decision making, which is essential to the success of a project. The DRT generally involves five City departments:
Planning – Director of Planning and Community Development– Dean Andrew
- Zoning regulations including the process for re-zoning
- Plat requirements
- Primary development areas available
- Landscaping, parking, lighting
- Signage
Engineering – City Engineer - Karlton Place - Traffic control issues (access, curb cuts, traffic impact)
- Flood control issues (storm water drainage, detention basins, flood plain, levees)
- Public financing (special assessments, capital cost recovery)
- Street issues (streets & alleys, highways, bridges)
Utilities – Director of Utilities – Martha Tasker - Water Service Systems
- Sewer Service Systems
- Grease Interceptors and cross-connection issues
Fire Department – Fire Chief – Larry Mullikin - Fire safety issues
- Emergency access issues
- Fire Code compliance
Building Services – Building Official – Michael Roberts - Building Code issues, including plumbing, mechanical and electrical
- American With Disabilities Act
- Building permit approval and issuance – The Building Services Department coordinates the permit plan review with all other involved departments.
- Inspections during the course of construction
- Coordination of the final inspection process and issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy
Another department that is sometimes involved in the development review process is the Salina/Saline Co. Health Dept. If your project includes food service, the health department will address issues regarding the restaurant and/or food service licensing and sanitation requirements.
When do I need to schedule a meeting?
A meeting can be scheduled to present a preliminary/conceptual development plan or to present a detailed development plan with supporting documentation (e.g.: site plan, traffic study, drainage study, floor plans)
How do I schedule a DRT meeting?
The Development Review Team is available to meet with developers, engineers, architects and owners on Wednesday afternoons. To request a meeting contact Amy Lange, Development Coordinator @ 785-309-5715.
What do I need to bring to this meeting?
If you plan to present a site plan or any other type of development documents, you will need to submit 6 copies to the DRT coordinator a week before the date of the meeting. Staff will review these documents and be better prepared to answer questions at the meeting. Who needs to come to the meeting?The developer, property owner, design professional (licensed architect), and/or licensed engineer. What can I expect to gain from this meeting?
Meeting with the Development Review Team will allow all parties involved with the development project to ask questions of city staff involved in the development process. There may be issues regarding zoning, infrastructure, and drainage that must be resolved before you can build. This meeting is not designed to answer all of the questions that you might have at your initial presentation. It will however enable Staff to identify possible hot button issues and to initiate research to provide answers to your questions at a later date. Staff will prepare a written meeting summary to be sent to you within a few days of the meetings. The summary will bullet all critical issues, and may include further answers to questions as Staff has time to review and discuss specific plan details.