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Planning > Development Review Group

Development Review Group

Development Review is the implementation aspect of the planning process. It is the final phase where the policies, land uses, zoning activities and design guidelines are joined to ordinance requirements, private market development proposals, and professional land-planning practices. It directly influences and controls the built environment. Development Review is regulatory planning and is driven by the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision Regulations. It focuses on the projects, which the Planning Board is required to review and analyze as legal obligations. Of major importance is the lead role of the Development Review staff and the Planning Board in bringing together all technical facts, positions of involved parties, potential of the sites, and workable solutions concerning individual development proposals.


The Permit Review Team reviews site plans submitted with grading, building, signs, and use and occupancy permits. Permit applications are referred to the Permit Review Group by the Department of Permit and Inspection Services.


The Subdivision Review Team processes preliminary plans and final plats of subdivision; reservation and vacation plats; and premise addressing. Subdivision approvals result in the creation of thousands of new lots per year. Preliminary Plans are reviewed to ensure that adequate public facilities are available, or will be available in the future, to serve the proposed development. Final plats, reservation plats and vacation petitions include all pertinent engineering data necessary to locate every street, lot, block and boundary on the ground.


The Zoning Team processes zoning map amendments, special exceptions, variances, special permits, certification of nonconforming uses, departures from parking and loading schedules, parking lot and loading area design, landscaping and sign standards. Review of these applications results in recommendations to the Planning Board as to how projects fulfill the purposes, intent, standards and design criteria set forth in the Zoning Ordinance and appropriate City policies. In addition, basic land planning and design principles, which are well established by professional practice, are frequently essential considerations. This group also provides staff supports for the Planning Board.


The Historic Preservation Team provides support to the Historic Preservation Commission through the review of Historic Area Work Permits, preservation tax credits, the preparation of architectural surveys and historic district studies, and preservation outreach. Staff also provides restored district assistance and advice to historic property owners on property maintenance and preservation. They produced a series of publications on community history and development, architecture and architectural history and design guidelines. Staff has a historic preservation resource library, and files on all documented properties.


The Public Facilities Planning Team emphasizes activities and projects that address comprehensive public facility planning in the City. Staff provides recommendations for a variety of public facilities, based upon the Comprehensive Plan including schools, water, sewer, fire, police, and libraries. The Public Facilities Planning Group will primarily be responsible for assisting in the development of a Functional Master Plan for Schools, adequate Public Facilities policies and technical support to the City's Police Department, Fire Department. This staff is also responsible, in partnership with the Finance and Administration Division, for the development and management of the City of Buffalo Capital Improvement Program.