(a) An applicant who has filed a master application project information form may request a preapplication conference at any time prior to submission of any application forms.

(b) The office, at its discretion, may convene representatives of interested State agencies to confer with the applicant on an informal basis in order to clarify their interest in the business undertaking, project or activity, to assist the applicant in the permit application process, and to develop a coordinated permit processing timetable.

(c) The director of the office may invite State agencies not acting as interested State agencies to participate in the preapplication conference. Such additional agencies may be invited when they are involved in business promotion or regulation (e.g., Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Commerce, NYS Council on the Arts, Urban Development Corporation, etc.) and their participation may inure to the benefit of all parties.

(d) A preapplication conference shall in no way bind any of the parties.

(e) Nothing in this section shall preclude a prospective applicant from discussing a proposed business undertaking, project or activity with the Office of Business Permits and other agencies prior to submitting a master application project information form. Such discussions are encouraged.