Officials urged to use checklists after law changes left some applications at risk of being incomplete

Officials reported receiving an "onslaught" of incomplete applications after law changes took effect. Rob Terry told the meeting that an application becomes vested only when it is deemed complete — that is, when required forms, attachments, maps and applicable fees have been submitted. "If somebody didn't have a complete application ... there is nothing to go to leave that would," he said, urging staff to document completeness and send formal rejection notices where appropriate.

Terry recommended that local agencies adopt an intake checklist and clear timelines for notifying applicants of deficiencies. He said agencies can require an applicant to cure defects but that for administrative items (like subdivisions processed administratively) statutory timelines and local ordinance provisions may limit back‑and‑forth. Staff and council members in the room endorsed a checklist and the mayoral office was suggested as a coordination point for email queries from citizens.