Project Excellence's Online Guide for Submitting Projects to PDC

Conceptual review and approval occurs at approximately 75% SD, after selection of a schematic design scheme. It is required for all new buildings and significant additions, major infrastructure, master plans, or other large-scale or complex projects.

All projects subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) must receive PDC conceptual review prior to ULURP certification. PDC conceptual review occurs prior to review by Community Board.

Requirements for Conceptual Review:

General - All materials should be labeled “Public Design Commission, Conceptual Review” and marked with the date of the PDC meeting.

Application - DDC will provide the signed application. Please provide the following:

• Estimated project cost (rounded to nearest $10k):

• Anticipated number of tree removals:

• Anticipated number of new trees:

• Name of architect:

Statement of Project Scope

• Provide draft as a Word doc

• See checklist below for specific requirements

• Note that PDC review is limited to the site and building exterior, so the design of the interior should not be described except insofar as it informs siting, massing, openings, etc.

Presentation

• See checklist below for specific requirements. In general, the conceptual submission includes schematic-level plans, sections, elevations, building massing, and landscape design. Specific material selections are not required but their qualities (e.g. opacity/transparency) should be indicated.

• See template below for titleblock format

Drawing Set

• See checklist below for specific requirements.

• Ensure the drawings are coordinated with the material shown in the presentation.

Model

• If there is a model of the proposed scheme, please include images in the presentation. Model photographs no longer need to be provided separately as indicated on the checklist below.

Resources

PDC checklist, conceptual samples

All items included in the Preliminary submission must be dated with the PDC meeting that corresponds with the PDC submission (please refer to the PDC-DDC calendar below). Upon receipt of the submission package, DDC will review all documents for accuracy and completeness and will provide a list of required revisions along with a due date for the revised submission package. DDC will transmit the digital files of the revised submission package to PDC by noon on the submission date.

Once the preliminary review submission package is transmitted to PDC, please expect to receive inquiries that may require expedited responses, clarifications, and/or revised documents. DDC will serve as the point of contact with PDC and will communicate any feedback received. A presentation of the project may be required at the PDC meeting and additional information related the meeting agenda will be provided three business days prior to the meeting. Currently PDC meetings are taking place virtually through Zoom.

Requirements for Preliminary Review:

Application Information. Provide the following information (our team will provide the signed application):

• Estimated project cost (rounded to nearest $10k):

• Total number of new trees:

• Total number of tree removals:

• Date of Community Board review (reach out to the appropriate DDC Liaison to coordinate review by the CB):

• Name, firm name, street address, telephone, and email of Architect, Designer, Design-Builder representing the project:

Checklist

Provide completed checklist (provided below)

Statement of Project Scope (8.5X11)

• See PDC Checklist below for specific requirements.

• Provide draft as a Word doc.

• Describe all above-grade exterior work.

Presentation (11X17)

• See PDC Checklist below for specific requirements.

• See PDC Presentation Titleblock Template and link below to sample presentation for guidance on format. Note that it is not necessary for the team to use Powerpoint per the template – this is provided for layout only.

• Ensure site photos capture all areas of exterior project scope, including any side and rear yards or areaways.

• For scope that involves alteration of existing conditions, show the existing condition/removals drawing on one slide followed by the proposed condition on the next slide. Clearly indicate all exterior above-grade work. If above-grade work is constrained by subsurface conditions, it can be helpful to include a diagram indicating subsurface constraints.

Schematic Design Set (18X24, half-size or larger if necessary)

• Include the full drawing set (all subconsultants).

Materials List and Catalog Cut Sheets (8.5X11)

• See PDC Checklist below for specific requirements.

• Format as a single PDF.

• First page should be a table indicating all exterior materials, equipment, and finishes.

• Cut sheets should be attached as subsequent pages. For equipment, include only those pages that show the size and appearance of the unit.

Material Samples

• Please plan to provide samples of any materials or finishes that are not replacement-in-kind. When sending the submission to DDC, please indicate the samples you intend to submit, and we will provide guidance on delivery to PDC.

Community Board Resolution

• The project must be reviewed by Community Board (CB) two weeks prior to the PDC meeting.

• Provide CB resolution or written confirmation of CB review.

Resources

PDC checklist, preliminary samples, presentation titleblock, presentation template

Final review and approval occurs at approximately 50-90% CD and is required for all projects with exterior work, including those that were reviewed at conceptual and preliminary levels. Projects with limited exterior scope, such as system upgrades, roof replacements, or window replacements, may qualify for a single combined preliminary/ final review at this milestone as identified by DDC’s PDC liaisons. PDC preliminary/final review occurs after review by the Community Board. Final approval by PDC is required to obtain a building permit from the Department of Buildings and must be secured before construction can proceed. If the design changes after this milestone, the project must be submitted for amended final review as described below.

Requirements for Final Review:

Provide Application Information

• Estimated project cost (rounded to nearest $10k):

• Total number of new trees:

• Total number of tree removals:

Checklist

• See PDC Checklist below.

• Provide completed checklist.

List of Changes (8.5X11)

• See PDC Checklist below for specific requirements.

Presentation (11X17)

• See PDC Checklist below for specific requirements.

• See link to sample presentations below for guidance on format.

Construction Documents at least 50% completion (18X24, half-size or larger if necessary)

• Include the full drawing set (all subconsultants).

Materials List and Catalog Cut Sheets (8.5X11)

• See PDC Checklist below for specific requirements.

• Format as a single PDF.

• First page should be a table or list indicating all exterior materials, equipment, and finishes.

• Cut sheets should be attached as subsequent pages. For equipment, include only those pages that show the size and appearance of the unit.

Material Samples

• Please plan to provide samples of any materials or finishes that have changed since Preliminary review. When sending the submission to DDC, please indicate the samples you intend to submit, and we will provide guidance on delivery to PDC.

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Resources

PDC checklist, Final samples

Preliminary/Final review and approval occurs at approximately 50-90% CD and is required for all projects with exterior work, including those that were reviewed at conceptual and preliminary levels. Projects with limited exterior scope, such as system upgrades, roof replacements, or window replacements, may qualify for a single combined preliminary/ final review at this milestone as identified by DDC’s PDC liaisons. PDC preliminary/final review occurs after review by the Community Board. Final approval by PDC is required to obtain a building permit from the Department of Buildings and must be secured before construction can proceed. If the design changes after this milestone, the project must be submitted for amended final review as described below.

Requirements for Preliminary/Final Review:

General

• The date on all items (except the CD set) should be the PDC meeting date, not the submission date (please reference the PDC-DDC calendars below). It is not necessary to update the date on the CD set.

Application

• The signed application is provided by our team. You do not need to provide anything as part of the draft submission.

Statement of Project Scope

• Provide draft as a Word doc

• See checklist for specific requirements

• Describe all exterior work. The description can briefly note any interior scope to provide context for the project, but should focus on exterior work since PDC does not review work at the building interior. For mechanical equipment, note any screening.

Presentation

• See checklist for specific requirements

• See template below

• Ensure site photos capture all areas of exterior project scope, including roofs

• For all drawing types, show the existing condition/removals drawing on one slide followed by the proposed condition on the next slide. Clearly indicate all exterior work (it can be helpful to add a graphic key)

Drawings

• Include the full drawing set (all subconsultants)

Materials List and Cutsheets

• Formatted as a single 8.5” x 11” PDF

• First page should be a table indicating all exterior materials, equipment, and finishes (see checklist for specific requirements)

• Cutsheets should be attached as subsequent pages. For equipment, include only those pages that show the size and appearance of the unit.

Samples

• Please plan to provide samples of any materials or finishes that are not replacement-in-kind. When you provide the draft submission, let us know what samples you intend to include.

Community Board Review

• The project must be reviewed by Community Board prior to the PDC presentation date. Norberto Acevedo of DDC’s Office of Community Outreach can guide the team in addressing this requirement.

Resources

PDC checklists, Preliminary/Final samples

Interim review and approval occurs between Preliminary/Final review and may be required to address any conditions of approval stipulated by PDC at preliminary review. Interim review is also required when the design changes substantially after preliminary approval. DDC’s PDC liaisons guide the team in determining whether interim review is required or appropriate.

The Interim review submission phase does not have a checklist.

Amended final review and approval occurs when the design changes after the project has received final approval. When this occurs during construction, amended final review is also known as “construction change review,” and design revisions must be submitted to PDC prior to proceeding with the work. To expedite the approval process, construction change submissions have an abbreviated set of requirements and may be submitted outside the typical review cycle upon coordinating with DDC’s PDC liaisons.

The Amended Final submission phase does not have a checklist.

To achieve PDC final signoff, the team will need to provide high resolution photographs that comprehensively document the project exterior to establish that it was built as approved. If there are any deviations from the PDC approved design, the team will need to provide a memo documenting the reason for the change(s).

Please note that following draft PDC submission, materials are due to our team two weeks prior to the PDC submission.

Photographs: Provide 8-10 high resolution jpegs

• Memo (if needed) – provide draft as a Word doc

• DOB job number(s) – provide all job numbers that required PDC final signoff

If the team requires the services of a photographer, Matt Lapiska of Creative Services (DDC) is a great resource. Please reach out to him directly, should you wish to have him take photographs of the completed work.

Waivers for Replacement-in-Kind (Review of Capital Projects During Closeout)

For projects eligible for a PDC waiver, the waiver request occurs after a permit application has been submitted to DOB and DOB has returned an objection identifying the requirement for PDC review. Waivers are available for projects where the exterior work is strictly limited to repair or replacement in-kind, with replacement components having the same specifications, size and finish as existing components. Replacement of exterior mechanical equipment does not typically qualify for a waiver. DDC’s PDC liaisons will advise whether the project qualifies for a waiver.

Resources

Reference documents including PDC-DDC calendars, checklists, presentation template, titleblock template, DDC consultant guide, PE principles.

Extension of approval occurs when the final approval expires prior to the start of construction. Final approval by PDC is conditioned on construction commencing within two years.

Resource

PDC checklist