Bailey: [00:00:00] Tell me a little bit about what you do at Ten Seventy Architecture, your role at the studio and your career path leading up to that to date.
Margaret Canning: In Ten Seventy architecture, one of the roles that I have is I qc pretty much all of the projects. every project that goes through the design process, from site analysis all the way to the construction drawings. QC every project making sure that they have all the standards, especially the one that goes before submittal to the city of San Diego.
Margaret Canning: All of the notes, all of the, requirements, like minimum requirements per the code. And at the same time, then that's when I also take over completely on the project and I go through the entire submittal process. So that's my role in Ten Seventy Architecture. I got into this because my past experience, I went to school for architecture and engineering, then when we moved to the city of San Diego, I got the opportunity to work for the development services department. because of my background, I ended up being a plan reviewer. [00:01:00] My plan review used to be For most of the projects were residential homes and that was over the counter. which meant that the client is right in front of you as you're plan checking their projects. those used to be for the smaller projects, which now the city calls rapid review. during that process, I learned how to plan, check for. What they call combined review and used to be for water and sewerminor structural review and storm water. at the same time, we will review bigger projects The projects that were submitted, through that process, I also learned how to issue permits. Very small projects like, the little over the counter projects, clients will come in instead of going to the line that will come through us. If I was the last reviewer, I can issue their permit if everybody has signed off the project and completed the stamp transfer.
Margaret Canning: So I learned that process of the. Stamp transferring and all of that in that group, which allowed me to get into the next position at the city, which it was a supervising project review specialist. And that one I switched [00:02:00] groups from plan review to intake. And in the intake process that's where everybody will come in, set up their projects.
Margaret Canning: And it was before COVID 2020, it used to be in person. So people will bring their plans, that somebody will take a quick look and set up the project and route it for plan review. So I used to supervise that in that section and I learned a little bit more about what it took to intake a permit. A few months later after that, I ended up getting a different position and that was called development project manager. And it was for what we call ministerial projects and they were bigger projects. So in that process, I actually, Dived in more and was able to learn the different divisions of the development services department. That's when you learn how this group, like let's say the planning review group was in this planning division versus the combined reviewer or structural when the life and safety divisions each person reviews per their [00:03:00] specific specialty. And all of that kind of gets combined into, you know what, you eventually get comprehensive comments and be able to respond to them according to the code. I also got to learn how to set up a big project issue, a big project coordinate conflict resolution meetings and speak with like the different reviewers, the different disciplines and what they were looking for to be able to help the client from the inside. That was kind of my role in that position.
Bailey: How do you think that the experience working at the development services department helps you now in your role? As a permit specialist at Ten Seventy Architecture, because it seems to me that, well, one, talking to Sean, it seems that a lot of other San Diego architecture studios don't have a dedicated permitting person.
Bailey: And then even if they do, they don't have, you know, the background that you do. So how do you feel like it helps you in your day to day? Because I feel like it gives you a very unique perspective.
Margaret Canning: It, [00:04:00] the way it helps me, I think since I got to work inside and I saw how the departments or the divisions actually move and what it took to do different types of projects. That's kind of the one insight that I have. in the city of San Diego you have what people call permit facilitators. when I was working there, I saw these permit facilitators that will take in plans from the different architectural companies and run the permits through that process. actually Sean, before I started working for Ten Seventy Architecture, he used to hire one of those facilitators. But one of the things that he noticed that he lacked was that control to be able to communicate with the reviewers. He will like have to give the plans to the premier facilitator and. Then gets the comments and when he asked the permit facilitator for maybe some more information, wasn't happening.
Margaret Canning: It was just the person would just drop in the plans, have the comments, here you go, response, and let me know when you want me to submit 'em again. way we do it now is a integrated process, and since we do [00:05:00] it in-house, we try to help our clients. And we all understand the project design at this point. every design meeting with the clients and my background, architecture allows me to understand the design process. And at the same time as we're designing, we're. what items might come up in permitting. And we try to give a heads up to the clients depending on the project design and the scope of the work. I think that's one of the things that does help us. And it's a very good process that we have in that we can. All work together. I'm able to communicate with the designers immediately when we get a comment. I go through every comment, review them, and if we see any comment that looks like a red flag, we might have to communicate this with a client to see how we can approach It's something that we can do as soon as I get the comments instead of waiting to send you the comments all at once. that is something that I think gives us a little bit of an advantage.
Bailey: Would say it's a huge advantage for sure. Now I wanna dive into the specifics of the permitting [00:06:00] process, but before we do that, Could you give the people watching a high level. Overview of your personal professional opinion on the state of permitting in San Diego.
Bailey: I know probably most people watching this will know that Sean, the principal of the studio is I think it's fair to say he's not a fan, but I'd be curious to your perspective, 'cause I don't think we've talked about it too much directly.
Margaret Canning: I think the reason why maybe Sean is not a fan is because as an architect there, our jobs is to. You know, provide a high level of service when it comes to design and architecture and walk a client through the entire process. And when they're done with their project, they're really happy with the outcome. And what ends up happening with the permitting is thatIt can be a little bit obstructive at times, and sometimes when you're submitting a project that seems in your mind as an architect or a designer or engineer, pretty straightforward and simple. Once it goes through the permanent process, you have somebody on the other end that [00:07:00] maybe thinks the opposite. the code is extensive. It keeps growing every day. Things get more complicated over time and the requirements keep increasing. sometimes something that you did three months ago or six months ago that you said that was okay, not a problem. We got it through in the next submittal.
Margaret Canning: It it's not the case. It might become actually the portion of the project that you have to be like, we are gonna have to change the strategies here or maybe redesign a little bit to be able to comply to this new requirement. So I think that's one of the things that as architects and designers and developers or homeowners, is seen as very disruptive.
Bailey: Interesting. And I do know when you went to NGIT, you were actually a dual major, I believe, right? It was architecture and engineering.
Bailey: have a bachelor's of in architecture and a master's in civil engineering. In civil engineering I was more concentration in construction management as well. it gave me that perspective to understand kind of a little [00:08:00] bit of engineering as well. I brought that up because you do seem to have a very well-rounded perspective, whereas to your point, like an architect maybe doesn't see at certain times like the big picture and the different perspectives of everyone else involved especially the city's perspective. So let's talk about.
Bailey: The permitting process here. Starting with can you define for the viewers what exactly a ministerial permit is and what types of projects are going to require this type of permit?
Margaret Canning: So the way that the city, this crafts ministerial is the project, they call it a process one or the project that is by right. Which means if you have a single home and there's certain overlays that does not kick you into the other type of permitting. You can have drawings drawn by an architect. after the design is complete and you have the minimum requirements for the code, both the municipal code as well as the California residential code or a building code, you can submit it [00:09:00] and you should be able to get a comprehensive plan, check comments, and respond accordingly and get your permit. Your plan, stamped and ready for construction.
Bailey: Got it. And then, so, you know, imagine if I was a prospective client here, why don't you walk me through what the, you know, major steps of the permitting process you already touched upon it A little bit, but feel free to go a bit deeper because one, I know it can be very extensive, and two, I do know it can take a long time.
Bailey: So what exactly should people know about the permitting process, if they're considering starting a project that's gonna require one?
Margaret Canning: So the permitting processthe way it works is once you have plants that are construction joints and you usually will need. for most projects, architectural plans energy calculations which is a requirement in California for energy compliance as well as structural joints. If it's a very simple project, you might be able to do it without structural joints.
Margaret Canning: Once you have that package together, and if it's a simple [00:10:00] lot, you might not need any other consultants. And then before we submit, we have to make sure that we have. that package together, as well as this minimum submittal requirements.
Margaret Canning: There are, a few forms that we have to fill out, let's say one of them is the water meter data card, which kind of tells you how much fixture accounts you have. And if you are able to keep the existing three quarter inch meter, most homes have a three quarter inch meter. Some of them have been upgraded over the time, so that lets you know I'm good with it.
Margaret Canning: I don't need another permit. there's other forms like the storm water quality form, as well as the minor water pollution form. Those forms tell the reviewer this is a low priority type of project. We don't need all their documentation. And then once we have all the forms together, we have to go.
Margaret Canning: The city of San Diego has a process, for, a software called Acela. you have to have A profile and be able to upload your documents there. if your project, for example, is over 45 years old, you're gonna need [00:11:00] a plan review, which means you need another set of documents, which we call the photographic survey that has to get submitted separately with the building record from the county of San Diego. that has to get submitted so they can determine if your project is potential historic or not. once it's uploaded, you have to either schedule a virtual meeting for the city staff to set up your project based on your scope of work, on the plans, the documents that you submitted, and that's when they provide you with the first initial plan, check invoice. After the plan check invoice process happens, client has to then pay that invoice for the city to be able to commence their plan review. So for example, if I were to submit my project today, and I don't pay for a month from now, the city's not gonna start any plan review until. That payment has been completed. that delays your project from the beginning. If you don't do that, after the first plan review, you get a round of comments. Depending on [00:12:00] the type of project you might get fees. That could be water and sewer fees or it could be, they give you all the comments for other type of like impact fees, depending on the scope of work.
Margaret Canning: So for example, let's say if I'm submitting an A DU, the A DU would require for you to pay Warren sewer capacity fees. That means I will have to reach out to the reviewer and say, once I get the comments, Hey, can you please send me this invoice? So I know I have it on record, I can forward that to the client. Then you have what they call impact fees. Then there's different, strategies. A lot of homes qualify for what they call affordable a d, so sometimes it waives the impact feesThat's kind of the current code that allows us to do this. So depending after you havea back and forth of planned reviews, coordination with the staff, depending on the type of comments that you get, or if they require extra documentation, like a property survey, then everybody signs off the project goes to another, what they call, I call it digital stamp transfer. each [00:13:00] review goes back and double checks that everything that they approve is there on those plan sets, and then they tell you that it's ready for permit issuance. Once you get that, that it says everything is complete review is complete on their permanent status, that's when you are able to request the permit issuance process.
Margaret Canning: And step, you will get any like school fees, requirements, any other type of documentation, like the application. Who's gonna cut, gonna be the contractor, or is it gonna be a. Owner builder type of project. and you have to submit all of that before the city actually gives you a stamp set. So there's a long process and little steps and steps that happen as you keep moving along.
Bailey: Three rapid fire questions coming up here. I know there, there's probably a lot more context you could add to each of these, but just so viewers could have a quick general idea of what goes into this. So could you talk a little bit more about the specific ballpark timeline for permitting these types of projects?
Bailey: So for example, you know, the main projects you [00:14:00] guys do, ADUs slash like the multi developing ADUs. The major remodels, the custom homes. How long should people expect the permitting process to take for each project, ballpark wise?
Margaret Canning: That is a little bit of a hard question just because we have projects that have gone through in three monthsIt's a straightforward, the reviewers very quick. They get review, comments back on time, which is another aspect of it. in the city of San Diego regular residential project does not qualify for express.
Margaret Canning: So you cannot pay extra to get your comments back faster or shorten the time. Most likely your project's gonna be delayed a month depending on the department and the discipline. and we have gone for projects for like over six months for a ministerial project. And that happens a lot if you have a project where the city staff says, you're in high fire severity zone, or you have a property that has brush management reviewers require more [00:15:00] information that you have to maybe hire another consultant that you're probably not expecting.
Margaret Canning: Sometimes we might about it at the beginning, but we let the clients know. Maybe we wanna confirm that once we get the submittal, the first round of comments to see how it goes, depending on the client, some clients are willing to wait a little bit longer. Some clients they don't, so we try to get it upfront. So it all varies depending on your location or your project, the scope of work, and at the same time how busy the city is, the reviewer that gets to review your project. You know, just keep in mind that reviewing are people and. They have priorities experiences. So a person that is more experienced might be able to give you a project quicker.
Margaret Canning: A person who is brand new might be a little bit more cautious. I give you comments that sometimes do not apply to your project, and when that happens, you pretty much have to always go back to the reviewer before you even respond be able to confirm that they understand that that doesn't apply. [00:16:00]
Bailey: Okay. Yeah, definitely very hard to give an easy answer step, Juan. 'cause there's so much to variability. I. That goes into it. My next question then though, on that front would be, what does the client's involvement look like during the permitting phase of the project? Because I know, for example, you're in all the meetings with the clients along with Sean, so I'm just curious, what does the client's role look like?
Bailey: Is it, do they really not have to do much, you just tell them what to do or what's going to be happening and then they pay the invoice accordingly? Or do they have more input?
Margaret Canning: So the way I try to do it, which is a little bit hard, I tried to explain it at the beginning. We're gonna have the three steps, which it will be intake, the plan review process where sometimes we might have to get some feedback from them. There will be invoices in there as I'm getting invoices, like an A DU, I know I'm gonna get a wooden sewing invoice.
Margaret Canning: I'll give, send it to you at that point because I can make the decision I pay now. What pay at the end, and then right before the end that we're [00:17:00] gonna get two other type of invoices, which is the extra plan check invoice fees for anything that was not captured at the beginning of the intake and a final invoice when the permit is issued. from my end, as I'm going through the process of. review. I let the clients know your plans have been submitted to the city of San Diego. We're in the queue where I already created, set up an appointment to set up the project on this day, as soon as I get that done, you will get an invoice. Once I get the invoice, I said, this is the plan check invoice. This needs to get paid. The city has a clause that says you have to pay within two days. This will initiate the plan check process, and then I try to, depending almost every week. Once a week, give them an update.
Margaret Canning: We have like a tracker that we use where I kind of go through and says the project has been assigned. The project's been reviewed. The project requires rechecks, recheck comments. I try to keep them the loop because if not, there will be a lot of waiting time and will be a little bit lost, what's going on.
Margaret Canning: They might think that we forgot their project, but sometimes [00:18:00] clients, depending on how involved they wanna be, some of them will say, can you send me the comments? What happens sometimes is when we send the comments. Something that is minor for us that we think this is not that big of a deal.
Margaret Canning: They might think it's a big deal. So you have to be very careful. So we coordinate in-house where we say the client wants the comments. These are the comments. I'm gonna send them to them because most likely they're gonna follow up with questions. So I keep going through that process pretty much all the way until the end and right before the end they get a lot of like, you need to do a school fees.
Margaret Canning: And I usually try to assess their fees. how much it is because I know what it is per square foot. I upload that to the cities to the school district and sell them. Pay. There's a lot of paying, there's a lot of school fee pay, plan check, fee pay that sometimes it clients get confused and even though you explain where they gonna be payments, they like.
Bailey: I had a client recently that said, I feel like I've just keep paying the city over and over and over. Because it just looks like you're paying and paying and paying, but you still don't have your [00:19:00] plans. So that's kinda where sometimes people think clients get confused because it seems like so many little steps to get to the final line On that note, what are the costs people should expect to pay for their project just based on the permitting aspect alone.
Margaret Canning: Well, costs have increased this year at least three or four times. the one thing I can say to the clients is there's a form called DS 5 0 1 and that you can see your fees. The city puts it on there. Most recently, we had a project that over 7,000 just for plan check, and that was an additional remodel with a DU above a garage. That's based on their new fee structure. the city actually just sent out a memo that they said that. At the end of your plan check process, they're gonna invoice you again, that extra plan check fee invoice, and the issuance invoice. They're gonna base it not from intake.
Margaret Canning: Like, not if I submitted last year on the last year info bulletin that was maybe cheaper. No. Now they're gonna use this new, so that might change [00:20:00] how much people are paying for this plan check. So it's really hard to tell you like it's gonna be exactly this amount the fee structure has, there's a lot of project fee types and I can only say it just keeps increasing. it has been increasing this past year in particular.
Bailey: Got it. Last question on the cost fronts. Is there any specific design choices during a project that can drive costs up in terms of permitting or perhaps help your clients save costs? When it comes to permitting,
Margaret Canning: So the design, we try to design
Margaret Canning: that are depending on the client's budget and try to be easy to construct. A lot of the times it's a square footage base, so if you have a project that is an addition and remodel. That one is gonna be a lot cheaper than doing a brand new a DU that is over a specific square footage or a new home. Because the city, for example, one of the fees says from 1000 to 3000 square feet, you have an amount. That amount is over $7,000. So. Whether you pay, whether you [00:21:00] do one square, one square foot home, let's say to 3000, you're paying that same amount. So there's not much leeway in there. Before it used to be broken down more. For me to be able to explain this, we will have to have a longer conversation and pretty much walk you through the information bulletin where it shows the different fees and the ones that we usually for the projects that we are designing, the ones that we kind of fall into.
Bailey: Switching gears slightly, let's talk about the coastal zone permitting. So what makes a coastal permit different than the ministerial permits, which we've been mostly discussing so far? So what makes them different? Number one, what's unique about them? And then two, from the city's perspective, why are they required?
Bailey: Like why do projects in the coastal zone need to go through a different permitting process? That seems to me to be much more cumbersome. Like what's their rationale for this?
Margaret Canning: the way that it works is the city has a map where it shows you the different overlays of your property. Some properties fall in the coastal overlay [00:22:00] zone. There's various categories within the overlay zonesome of them are just coastal height, but some of them, they call it non appealable coastal zones or appealable. those that are under that overlay, will require a coastal development permit. If you deciding a brand new home, if you're doing more than 50 like, let's say you have an existing home, but you're demoing more than 50%, gonna require a coastal development permit,
Margaret Canning: that's kind of usually the two categories if you're changing the use as well. Or if you increment parking. we have a project right now in Delmar, that one we were able to be exempted from coastal development permit because it's an existing home and there's an addition with a remodel, but the addition is less than 50%. So that one exempts you from it. But we have another project that is in the coastal zone. There's no home on the lot. The owner purchased the property and they build two homes and split the lot.
Margaret Canning: Costal is one of them. costal is probably one of the easier ones. It's called Process two, and we've done a couple of those. The most recent one actually that we did, it [00:23:00] was like a small. conversion in addition to an existing home. But because they were in the appealable zone, they require a costal permit. We were able to do that one pretty fast. we had a really good development project manager in the city side because she was very communicative and responsive, so able to communicate with hervery easily. But the thing with this discretionary is it just gives you. you don't have the right to build that project. It's not by, right. So you need a discretionary that they determine if it's okay or not okay to do this. And it's a completely separate submittal than the ministerial. The discretionary does not allow you to completely, once you get it approved, oh, I can now go build my house.
Margaret Canning: No, you still have to submit the minister to build the home. So discretionary is at the discretion. The one project that we have, for example, the city's requesting the property owner to dedicate two feet of their front portion for sidewalk. They can ask for more improvements, like, improve the entire sidewalk or the curb. so the requirements are completely different. It requires sometimes more [00:24:00] consultants, not just the architect. And it's supposed to be considered like a concept type of design. Which is kind of hard to do for clients because clients wanna sit home. So we still go through the entire design process and at the DD phase or design development phase, that's when we submit, before we do construction joints, because when you submit on the discretionary, you have to also go and do a presentation to the coastal group in the area, the planning board They can give you comments back and you might have to redesign again. that's something that clients need to be aware of. And when it comes up to a discretionary cost department, which is pretty basic in San Diego, that there's chances that your project has to be redesigned depending on how it's received.
Bailey: dealing with the development services department, I'm sure it can be very challenging at points, but also the fact that if you need a coastal development permit and then you need to go in front of like a HOA or some other community type board and then present the project.
Bailey: those people are always very opinionated that it just adds a lot more [00:25:00] like uncertainty, I suppose, to the project. So that's certainly something people need to be aware of.
Margaret Canning: I think it's interesting. It's expensive. And you have to understand that upfront. And it's really hard for an architectural company to tell you, not just us, but I believe in general to say, it's gonna be this much or I can just charge you this much. Because you can go through the entire code, design the project, the way you think it will fit best, the community, and that everybody will like it. But like you mentioned, when you go to a community. to present, they might have other opinions because they have been living there for a very long time and it is open to not just the board presenting, but the community can come out and say, that development's gonna be next to my house. And it's going, let's say, obstruct view, which is one of the big ones, especially when you're in the coastal zone, living in San Diego, where everybody wants to have this nice view to the ocean.
Bailey: And just so people are aware, what neighborhoods are almost certainly [00:26:00] going to trigger the need for a coastal development permit.
Margaret Canning: So some of the neighborhoods would be like La Jolla Del Mar, especially if you're a west of the five. Barrio Logan is one of the neighborhoods that has it, even though the coast there is more like the Bay where they built the ships. But that is a coastal area, so it requires coastal zone. Beach, I probably pv, so we always say west of the five, but be able to confirm we need the address of the client look through into the city's data, you know map that tells you and see if that overlaid applies.
Bailey: then as we begin to kind of round out the interview here, this discussion, what are some ways you. How would you say Ten Seventy Architecture is unique in the way that you work with your clients to make the permitting process as efficient and as stress free as you possibly can? Within reason? I will say, I mean, it seems, talking to Sean that most clients already come prepared [00:27:00] knowing that the permitting for their project in San Diego might be very difficult and expensive, seems that people know.
Bailey: Although San Diego does seem to be particularly bad, perhaps talking to other architects, whether it's in Chicago or here in Denver or Miami, basically everyone seems to have a complaint with their local municipality.
Bailey: So this is gonna be a challenge no matter where you build. But what are some things You look to implement in your process working with clients to streamline and make the permitting process as efficient as you possibly can on your end.
Margaret Canning: I think one of the things that we do as we go into the design process is we provide information of permitting possibilities, because sometimes the client says, I would like to add more. Bathrooms and more plumbing fixtures, and we usually immediately say, well, per the budget that you have, if you do that, you're gonna need this other permit. not only do you need the building permit, but you need a right of way permit. We let them know ahead of [00:28:00] time, Also increases. You have to hire another consultant. We have to submit another permit process. You have to hire a different type of contractor. We try to point out to them that it will take time, we try our best to. Respond to the comments right away. That's one of the things that we do is as soon as we get comments, start working on the responses as fast as possible, depending on the comments.
Margaret Canning: Sometimes, like I mentioned before, we have to go back to the client. When we get the comments, we tell the client, we got the comments. Very simple. We'll let you know if something else comes up. we try to keep the expectations depending on the comments that we get. unfortunately, an uncertainty which we try to tell clients, is that sometimes the project that seems the simplest garage conversion or the ones that you think should go straightforward, sometimes those are the ones that take the longest. Seems reverse where the city's used to looking at big projects So those are like, they kind of know how to deal with them. When you give them something smaller that they're not used to it becomes a bigger [00:29:00] issue it seems. At least that's from what I see sometimes the ones that I read the scope and I'm like, this seems so simple. It becomes a little bit of a hurdle and I think it has to do with The location of your home. Sometimes you are in the high fire severity zone, the city wants to make sure that your home is protected if there's a cause of fire if you have brush. So sometimes that reviewer might feel that is a big deal, and talking with the reviewers and having a conversation sometimes alleviates it and makes it easier move forward. we let the clients know so that they're aware there might be a delay in their project. clients want, as you know, in the United States in general, Once you get through the plan process, the design process, it takes time and you go through the permitting. Everybody's eager to have their home built that they can move in. We get clients that say, you think it's gonna be finished by Christmas? And sometimes, you know, we have to be honest and say, I doubt it.
Bailey: Yeah. Well, I'm sure they appreciate the [00:30:00] honesty. So last question here. talk to me a little bit about the consulting slash on-demand permitting service that you recently launched, because that's, you know, you're basically the one running that. So talk to me about what it entails and what types of clients it is good for.
Bailey: the studio also of course, does the odd commercial project here and there in San Diego. So for example, would this fractional consulting service be good for both residential and commercial projects as well as any other companies that might be looking to hire Ten Seventy Architecture for permitting assistance?
Margaret Canning: yes, you are correct. We have done commercial projects, tenant improvements in the past. it helps anyone that. Be interested in hiring us for primary consultation and if they want us to hire us for the permitting process. I actually have done a couple in the past. In the past we were not doing it for projects that we were not designing. There were a few that were referred by other clients that said, can you please help my friend on this? [00:31:00] And we have done the entire permit process for them all the way until the stamp set. So yes, it's something that we can do and that's why we decided to. launched the permit consultation because we have been asked in the past by other colleagues, can you please do my permitting for me? A lot of architects that don't like to do that because it's a process that can take time
Bailey: Got it. So. If you wouldn't mind going a bit deeper, like who would really benefit? You mentioned the architects, so other architecture studios, solo architects, but I imagine it's also, Homeowners. So I guess from the homeowner's perspective then, if they're in need of only the permitting assistance, does that mean.
Bailey: How are they doing the design and the floor plans, and then how are they handling construction? Are they doing it themselves? Like I'm trying to like kind of get in their shoes and see like what type of situations does it make a lot of sense for?
Margaret Canning: Yeah, so let's say if you have a homeowner that hire an arch,
Bailey: I.
Margaret Canning: or a designer and maybe the architect or designer, they don't run [00:32:00] their permitting or maybe the homeowner decided, oh, I wanna do it myself, but they realize it's a little bit more involved than I expected it to be. We can take it over. We have taken projects that already had started We can take it over from that point and continue with their permitting process. There's a couple of little things that I have to do when it comes to the city side, which is change the applicant, let's say, from the homeowner to myself so I can. submit their project because the system will not allow me to submit it unless I'm the applicant. we can take it from the different stages that they want. if the project just got completely designed, they have their plans, their architect or designer gave the plans and say, can you please submit 'em? they can send me the information on the project, the plans so I can determine if they're complete enough for submittal. I just would need to go through it and be able to have a consultation with them, see their plans, see what they're looking for, and determine if they need any documentations or we're ready to start the process for submittal.
Bailey: Yeah, no, the first step if [00:33:00] anyone is interested in that, would be to book a consultation, which we'll leave the link for in the description of this video, There's a whole calendar booking system where people can select the day and time that works for them. But I think in conclusion, to wrap up this discussion here, it is definitely worth highlighting the fact that using a very unique permitting expertise, if you will, because we started out this conversation talking about your experience at the DST, but then you also have experience, of course, doing this for clients in your current role.
Bailey: but you've also worked. Alongside Sean on several of your own self-funded development projects. So you've seen things permiting wise from the city's perspective your client's perspective as well as the homeowner's perspective. So because of that, I think that gives you a very unique qualification to handle people's permitting.
Bailey: And Sean does say you are the best permanent specialist in the entire city. he is a bit biased, I think, but you know. So many people should definitely consider, I would say. Like I said, we will leave the link [00:34:00] to book that consultation for permitting directly here.
Bailey: anything you would like to say to wrap up what people should know about permitting? Anything we didn't cover? Things like that.
Margaret Canning: well, first yeah, maybe Sean might be a little bit biased because, you know. been working together for a very long time, and I took over the projects for ourselves and I did the permitting for it, he seemed completely oblivious to it. And for some reason, I find it in a way kind of easy. It could be frustrating, but, at times you were like, oh, you feel bad for the client sometimes. unfortunately it's a necessary thing that we need to do and. kind of enjoy it's almost like a puzzle piece for me So I do enjoy that, and like you mentioned, being there, I see how things move around. besides thatthe primary consultation is a great way to start. Talking to us or to me to see if you would like to hire us for just permitting consultation or navigating through the permitting process, submitting your projects. it's a process and a lot of [00:35:00] the times, I think the misconception for some clients is, oh, it's online and I can do it myself. Yes, you can. But when I've explained to some clients they have asked, is that something that I can do? And we say, yes, you can do it for your own project if you prefer Even if we're the designers. As soon as you start explaining the steps, they get, oh, I didn't realize it was gonna be like this. the steps are a little bit complicated. The software is not like the pretty looking software. You have to kind of learn how to use it and the communication back and forth with The reviewers, if they're missing documentation, they're late for 30 days, more to the permitting process that people probably don't see. so it's something that most people, think, could be a lot easier, which, yes, it should be a lot easier and it used to be a lot easier.
Margaret Canning: At least that's what I hear from pastarchitects that have retired. in some jurisdictions, like in other parts of the United States, I've heard people say it's easier. in other states, it's still always for the [00:36:00] architect the developer or the homeowner. once you get to it, you realize it is not as easy as I thought it was gonna be. There's always something that comes up. And I remember traveling with Sean to Ireland a few years back and we were talking to one of his family members that used to work at a development services type of department there. And we were talking about a difficulty here in United States and in San Diego, how to difficult to go through the permanent process.
Margaret Canning: He goes, it's the same here. So it is pretty much same everywhere.
Bailey: Very interesting. All right. I think that does it for this discussion, but it was very informative, so thank you for watching everyone. Make sure to like and subscribe and then we will see you in the next one.
Margaret Canning: Thank you.
