Planning Review

Planning Review is a streamlined process that integrates reviews for:  

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) & Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA Section 106)    
• Design Review   
• Permitting    

Planning Review provides a single point of entry and coordinated review for all three review bodies, saving time, reducing redundant forms, and getting your project underway more quickly than before.

Planning Review integrates three core functions of the  Presidio Trust Planning & Compliance Department:  

• N2 ensures the Trust’s compliance with federal regulations around historic preservation and environmental protection.
• Design Review ensures a consistent standard of design across the Presidio so that each project, whether large or small, makes a successful contribution to the greater whole.
• Permitting gives authorization to a qualified applicant to perform certain work in certain areas of the park, to ensure protection of people, resources, buildings & occupants in the Presidio.

Submittal forms must have a Trust Project Manager (PM) for a Trust-sponsored project or a Trust Designated Representative (TDR) for a tenant or outside agency-sponsored project. A PM/TDR needs to: 

• be able to conduct preliminary consultations with Trust’s specialists BEFORE initiating Planning Review
• be able to review drawings for accuracy
• understand constructability and feasibility within the parameters of the Trust’s codes, regulations and standards
• convey information to the stakeholder/tenant and provide guidance throughout the Planning Review process
• For assistance, email planningreview@presidiotrust.gov prior to submittal so the team can direct you.

All submittals begin with a project submittal form that a Presidio Trust Project Manager (PM) or a Trust Designated Representative (TDR) fills out and submits to planningreview@presidiotrust.gov along with any drawings, plans and sufficient project description and scope of work.

Submitting a project for Planning Review is designed as a simple, one-stop-shop process:

1. Presidio Trust PM or TDR downloads the Submittal Form and complete the required fields
2. Email the completed submittal form to planningreview@presidiotrust.gov before 12 p.m. on Thursday to be added to the agenda for our Monday coordination meeting, and we will get back to you on next steps.

The Planning Review team looks at:  

• projects  
• activities  
• programs, plans, or policies  

Planning Review should be initiated early in project development, ideally when you have:  

• preliminary budget approval  
• a project purpose and need, summarized in 2-3 sentences  
• project location(s) identified  
• a scope of work  

A complete submittal should include the following:

• a clear and concise project description (2-3 sentences describing the project purpose and need)
• contact information for the Trust Project Manager or Presidio Trust Designated Representative
• conceptual/schematic-level drawings, Maps, Site Plans, Photographs, etc. (as applicable)
• record of consultation with other interested parties, inside or outside the agency

Forms received at planningreview@presidiotrust.gov by 12 p.m. Thursday will be considered by the team the following Monday at 10 a.m. If the form is complete, the team will:

• return the form to the PM/TDR to inform the levels of review for N2, DRC, and type of permits required
• If submittal form is insufficient, request additional information needed (p. 3 of form)
• Add the project to the Planning Review tracker
• If applicable, follow up review sessions will be scheduled
• Insufficient Planning Review forms will be returned with requests for additional information
• If the submittal form and documentation are sufficient, they will move to N2 and DRC review, then Permitting review

Review times vary greatly depending on the complexity of the project and the quality of information provided in the submittal form.

The Presidio Trust Permitting office issues the following types of permits:

• encroachment permits
• excavation permits
• building permits
• grading permits
• construction permits

Keep in mind there are other permits from other departments that may be needed for your project. The Permitting office does not issue Special Use Permits (Visitor Engagement or Business teams, Department of Public Safety), additional construction & fire life safety permits (Department of Public Safety), and legal permits (Legal Department).

Projects submitted after the 12 p.m. Thursday cut off will be considered at the following week’s Planning Review meeting. Expedited project reviews may be requested. Please email the Planning Review team.

Generally, no. But when in doubt, please email the Planning Review team.

Presidio Trust PMs/TDRs can check the status of their projects anytime using a Trust staff only SharePoint online tool. The Planning Review team maintains a project tracking spreadsheet, updated every week following the Monday 10 a.m. meeting.

Changes in scope are important to document and share with the Planning Review team as they trigger additional reviews or additional input. Please email the Planning Review team as soon as you can describe any changes to the scope of submitted work.

Planning Review is set up as a one-stop-shop for all Planning & Compliance Department review functions. Just complete a submittal form and send it in. The Planning Review team will let you know if your project does not need to complete any of the three reviews.

It’s better to submit a project too early than too late. If your project is in the early stages of planning, we can offer a scoping meeting to help identify issues as you develop your scope and/or range of alternatives. Submit a question or submittal form to the Planning Review team and we’ll help you out.

Projects submitted for review after they’ve commenced, or after the scope can no longer change can be subject to stop work orders, legal action, or costly changes in scope. Please submit projects early to avoid such outcomes.

Yes! Planning Review offers scoping meetings to help PMs/TDRs determine which levels of review might be required or to identify alternatives to their project. Just email the Planning Review team to schedule a scoping meeting.

Generally, yes. However, the Planning Review process may result in comments or direction that could change a project’s scope. It’s always better to check in early with the Planning Review team rather than after a project is completely finalized.

Please do not hesitate to email the Planning Review team with  questions. Our address links to multiple staff on the team, so you are assured that your inquiry will be received.