Concept plan
A concept plan is an early, rough layout of a proposed project that a city reviews before the developer files formal applications.
Also called sketch plan, conceptual plan, or pre-application plan.
What it tells you
A concept plan is one of the earliest public signs of a project, before a rezoning or plat is filed. Details may change, but the site, the developer, and the rough size are often known.
How it moves through a city or county
- The developer submits a rough layout, often after a pre-application meeting.
- Staff comment on zoning, roads, and utilities.
- In some places the planning commission or council discusses it at a public meeting.
- Formal applications follow, such as a rezoning, plat, or site plan.
Some places require a concept or sketch plan for large projects; others make it optional or skip the step. Its review is usually not binding.
Recent concept plans
From public filings in Minnesota, Ohio, and Tennessee.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140-Pad Manufactured Home Park on 35 Acres | Clinton Township, OH | LNC, LLC | Manufactured homes | 140 units35 acres | Approved | |
| 100-Unit Residential Development on 30.8 Acres | Lonsdale, MN | SML Holdings LLC | Single-family | 100 homes30.8 acres | Approved | |
| 16-Unit Duplex Development on 5.98 Acres | Kingston, TN | Old Capitol Town LLC | Duplexes to fourplexes | 16 units5.98 acres | Seeking approval |
As of How we count
Common questions
- Does approving a concept plan approve the project?
- Approving a concept plan usually doesn't approve the project. The review gives feedback, and the project still needs its formal approvals, such as a rezoning, plat, or site plan.
- Is a concept plan public?
- A concept plan becomes part of the public record once it reaches a planning commission or council agenda. Plans reviewed only by staff may never be posted.
Related terms
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See new concept plans near you.
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