Preliminary Recognition recognizes proposals in their early stages and is based on the Criteria for Preliminary Recognition. Preliminary Recognition is intended to be used by the developer only to help obtain preliminary or concept approval required by a local government, and only indicates that the Plan conceptually meets the Alliance’s smart growth standards. If the developer elaborates upon the design and specifications in a manner consistent with smart growth principles and the Criteria for Final Recognition the development would likely be qualified for Final Recognition.
Final Recognition must be based on detailed design and specification data and graphics, and indicates that the development meets the Alliance’s smart growth criteria and would, if built as planned, help the Washington region accommodate growth in a manner that achieves sustainable economic, environmental and quality-of-life objectives.
Exemplary Recognition Criteria, Criteria for Preliminary, Final and Exemplary Recognition will be applied to developments: a) located in local jurisdictions which have the highest smart growth and sustainability requirements, b) surpassing most or all local requirements or c) causing a local government to adopt smart growth standards.
What are the benefits of recognition?
Recognition signifies that the project, as designed, will help the region accommodate anticipated growth in a manner that achieves economic, environmental, and quality-of-life objectives. The purpose of the program is to educate public officials and the public at large about the benefits of recognized projects to the community and region. This is accomplished through the following:
A letter of recognition from the Alliance that can provided to local authorities or others to demonstrate independent recognition of the smart growth characteristics of the proposal
Publicity through press releases, ads, web site summaries and recognition at Alliance events
Independent testimony at public meetings or hearings by Alliance staff or Jurors explaining the recognition program and detailing why the proposal gained smart growth recognition
Presentations at community meetings on smart growth principles and the smart growth criteria used by the Alliance to evaluate developments.
Are any risks associated with applying?
Applicants whose projects are not granted recognition are notified of this decision in the strictest confidence - this is a no-risk process for the applicant regardless of the jury’s decision.
What are the costs of applying?
There is an application fee of $2,500 for each application. If an applicant for Preliminary Recognition plans to apply for Final Recognition at a later date, a combined fee of $3,500 may be paid at the time of the first application (versus $5,000 for two separate applications). Checks should be made out to the “Washington Smart Growth Alliance".
Is there an application form? What information must be submitted?
There is no separate application form. The level of detailed information and materials required to support an application vary somewhat depending on the level of recognition, as shown in this attached table. The applicant should address all applicable questions or information items listed in the applicable recognition criteria in a narrative no longer than 20 letter-sized pages (not including cover pages or images) and submit this in a bound format. Printed materials, such as marketing brochures, as well as any studies or reports by either the applicant or the jurisdiction, may be submitted as attachments.
The application must be accompanied by full-size copies of concept plans, site plans, or other plans or drawings, such as elevations; maps and aerial photographs; site photographs of current conditions; and any graphics that may prove illegible when reduced to letter size. Submit one digital version of the main narrative and 15 hard copies of the application booklet and one copy of each full or oversized plan, map, photograph or drawing.
Where should applications be sent?
Email digital materials to: dminess@sgalliance.org.
Mail or hand-deliver applications to:
Washington Smart Growth Alliance
4909 Cordell Avenue, 2nd Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Where is more information available?
Direct application questions to dminess@sgalliance.org.
