Development headlines often compress a long public process into a single word: “coming.” For a buyer, seller, owner, investor, or developer, that is not enough. The practical question is where the project actually sits in the process.
Proposal
A concept, application, or announced plan describes intent. Record who submitted it, which jurisdiction has authority, what is being requested, and whether the application is complete enough to enter review.
Recommendation or hearing
Staff reports, planning commissions and public hearings can shape a project without creating final entitlement. Note what body is acting, whether its role is advisory or final, and what issues remain unresolved.
Approval
An approval should be tied to the exact approving body, date, adopted motion or ordinance, conditions, and any required subsequent steps. Approval of one stage does not automatically mean every later permit or construction milestone is complete.
Permit and construction
Track the permits and infrastructure work that actually allow construction to proceed. Separate site work, vertical construction and phased openings when they occur at different times.
Completion and operation
A completed building or opened business is different from an entitlement on paper. Update the record when the project reaches a verifiable operating milestone.
Decision framework: For every development story, record the geography, jurisdiction, status, evidence date, next milestone, and what remains uncertain. That turns a headline into information a property owner can actually use.
