A. The planning director shall determine the proper classification for all project permit applications. If the planning director determines that the choice among appropriate classifications cannot be ascertained from the code and its intent, the planning director shall resolve it in favor of the higher classification number.

B. A project that involves two or more land use permits may be processed collectively under the highest numbered classification required for any part of the application or processed individually under each of the classifications identified by the specific city regulation. The applicant may determine whether the application is processed under the individual procedure option (see Section 15.02.050). If the application is processed under the individual procedure option, the highest numbered classification must be processed prior to the subsequent lower numbered procedure.

C. For any project dependent on a legislative decision, including a change in the comprehensive plan (see Section 15.02.095), the legislative decision must be made prior to processing the land use permit application.

D. Applications processed in accordance with subsection B of this section that have the same highest-numbered classification, but are assigned different hearing bodies, shall be heard by the highest decisionmaker. The city council is the highest, followed by the hearing examiner or planning commission, as applicable, the planning director, and then the planning department or other authorized city staff. (Ord. 3774-20 § 3 (Exh. 2), 2020.)