Predevelopment Meetings
The purpose of a predevelopment meeting is for people who are looking at locating a business here in Turlock, or developing a new business in an existing building or developing a piece of property, to have the opportunity to present your project to the City departments and receive feedback on the permits, processes and costs associated with your proposal. For homeowners, a predevelopment meeting might help you decide about adding on to your home, or for commercial developers it might also include large subdivision to assist in your project costs analysis.This meeting is preliminary and staff makes every attempt to identify all the important issues of your project. However it is important to recognize that this meeting is preliminary and the feedback you receive is only as accurate as the information you provide.
Why is a Predevelopment Meeting Important?
- Helps you understand how the City planning, zoning, codes and development standards affects your project's design.
- Provides you an overview of the processes and timing of City approvals and permits.
- Gives you an opportunity to request a fee estimate so that you can determine how City, County and school fees affect your project budget.
- Gives you an opportunity to meet the people who will be reviewing your project, ask questions and get answers.
What to Expect at a Predevelopment Meeting
When you walk into the conference room, you will be introduced to representatives from all the City Departments that will review your project once your application is submitted. You will be given an opportunity to present your project. Staff will then provide you with information on how federal, state and local laws and regulations apply or affect your proposal.Examples of the types of laws and regulations that staff will discuss with you include:
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- California Environment Quality Act
- Building and Fire Code
- City of Turlock's General Plan and Zoning Code
- Areas in the City included in Master Plan or Specific Plan areas that may have an overlay of different or more specific development requirements
Prior to Predevelopment Meeting
Provide written information to Planning Division at least one week prior to predevelopment meeting to allow the program areas to provide a more thorough and accurate assessment of the requirements and procedures applicable to your project.Written information should consist of:
- Site plan showing all existing and proposed structures, parking, landscaping areas with dimensions to adjacent property lines and between structures. Street names and alleys should be clearly identified and easily identifiable. An engineered drawing is not required, but may be provided.
- Floor Plan (for new uses and change of use in an existing building)
- Elevation and proposed color board (if the customer desires comments)
- A Business Plan, detailing how the proposed business will function ( Hours of operation, number of employees, etc)
- A Predevelopment Review Checklist which outlines the comments of each of the program areas within the city that are involved in the development process, as well as the staff contact for each program area.
- An understanding of the types of development standards, site improvements and permits that will be required for your project. This information will allow you to make necessary adjustments to your plans prior to formal submittal for the City of Turlock.
- Information necessary to help you determine the feasibility of your project, the cost of your project, and the approximate timeline for your project approvals.
- A development fee estimate form, which once filled out and returned will calculate and summarize the development impact fees, county fees and school fees that should be included in the budget for your project.
- Potential applicants can schedule as many predevelopment meetings as necessary in order to refine their project proposal and business plan prior to the actual submittal of your project. These follow up meetings, as with the initial Predevelopment meeting, are a complimentary service.
At the Predevelopment Meeting
Staff will provide the most accurate information possible, based on the information you provide. Be prepared to present a business plan in as much detail as possible. You should bring all questions you may have regarding the proposed project.You may bring any professional associated with the project, however, this is not required.