In today’s development environment, project success depends on more than strong design. Regulatory pathways are increasingly complex, approval timelines are less predictable, public engagement carries greater weight, and much of the “easy” land has already been developed.
Entitlements, agency coordination, and public approvals are critical milestones that can cause projects to stall because of underestimated complexity. The difference between a smooth approval and a costly delay lies in preparation, positioning, and relationships long before plans are submitted.
Winning Before Design Begins with Predevelopment Due Diligence
Significant project decisions often happen before a site is even under contract. Early due diligence often includes zoning evaluations, entitlement pathways, utilities, permitting requirements, timelines, and political dynamics to determine whether a vision is viable. Understanding the approval process also helps shape letters of intent, purchase agreements, and investor expectations.
“If a client is looking at a site and is not sure if they can do what they want to do, we’re happy to have a conversation with them,” says Tasha Bolivar, development services team manager and principal at Galloway. “Sometimes they need a sounding board, that trusted advisor.”
Galloway’s development services team collaborates during a project strategy meeting.
Engaging jurisdictions early through pre-application meetings provides invaluable clarity. Hearing concerns firsthand allows teams to identify constraints, uncover opportunities, and decide whether a site makes sense before committing significant time or capital. Done well, this front-end strategy turns predevelopment into effective risk management, enabling clients to move forward based on information rather than assumption.
Navigating Approvals and Public Hearings
As projects move into formal approvals, success depends as much on alignment as on compliance. Processes like rezoning, variances, special use permits, and public hearings require a clear narrative that connects to comprehensive plans, community priorities, and local requirements.
Every jurisdiction has its own “rules of engagement”: how staff evaluate proposals, what earns a recommendation, and what issues are likely to arise in public hearings. Preparation, perspective, and relationships are critical.
“We pride ourselves in building relationships with jurisdictions so we know who will be involved and we already understand the timeline, the codes, and the criteria,” says Taylor Smith, development services coordinator at Galloway.
Todd Hager, development services manager at Galloway, presents before a zoning commission.
“It’s also about making things easier for the jurisdiction so all parties can reach a successful approval efficiently,” adds Nate Abbott, senior development services project manager and principal at Galloway.
When approached collaboratively with clarity, responsiveness, and awareness of local priorities, approvals become more predictable and efficient for everyone involved.
Enhancing Design Success Through Strategic Development Services
Architects and engineers bring deep specialization in design innovation and technical execution, creating functional, efficient, and inspiring spaces. Development services complement that by managing the process-driven aspects of a project: researching regulations, navigating approvals, coordinating with agencies, and tracking submissions.
From initial site evaluation through project completion, the team takes a holistic view. They forecast approval pathways, manage submittals and comment responses, and identify necessary pre-steps to prevent delays. This ensures projects progress efficiently while allowing design teams to focus fully on their expertise.
By partnering closely with architects and engineers, a development services team acts as a force multiplier providing strategic oversight, smoothing complex coordination, and keeping approvals on track. The result is stronger project outcomes, clearer communication, and better experience for clients and communities.
Galloway’s Multidisciplinary Advantage
When development strategy operates within a multidisciplinary firm, its value expands.
Because our development services team works alongside our engineers, architects, and surveyors across all our capabilities, they can anticipate downstream needs early in the lifecycle. Traffic studies, utility coordination, survey requirements, and specialty engineering reports can often surface later as surprises. Integrated teams can identify them upfront and understanding the capabilities across disciplines allows teams to plug in expertise precisely when needed.
Multidisciplinary coordination enables a broader perspective. The question is not only “Can this be entitled?” but “What will this require from start to finish?”
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