The property known to locals as Sitka Dock, the area around the smokestack in the center of the photo, may soon be developed. World Photo by Susan Chambers

1) The Developer contacts current land owners and secures the property.

2) A building permit application is made and sent to the Coos County Planning Department.

The land is tested for pollution, flood lines are established, local utilities are contacted to confirm compatibility with the current system, and local fire, police, and schools are contacted to verify respective services from those departments can be rendered.

3) The Planning Department reviews the application according to the current land zoning laws and regulations.

4) The application is approved by the Planning Department.

5) Residents surrounding the proposed development are notified and given 15 days to appeal the decision.

6) If the decision is appealed, a hearing is held at the Coos County Courthouse in Coquille usually by the Coos County Planning Commis-sion, but in some cases, directly by the Coos County Board of Commissioners and normally only on second appeal.

7) Further appeals can go to the Land Use Board of Appeals, then on to the Oregon State Court of Appeals and all the way to the Supreme Court if the issue warrants it.

8) If the proposal is not appealed again, the application is fully approved and construction begins after final land surveying and safety testing.

- Dan Schreiber, staff writer