Project development stage for submisison

I assume that you mean the project design has not been completed? Developed to an executive level is not a term I am familiar with but assume that this means the design is complete at that point?

If so then you cannot even complete much of the documentation until the design is completed. I don't think it states this anywhere but would become very obvious if you attempted to do so. The only exception is for CS projects who can get an early design stage review.

Marcus is 100% correct that the design needs to be complete to submit for the Preliminary Design Review in a split review process. (If the project team were to use a standard/ combined review process, the design would also need to be complete for the Preliminary Review.)

As far as a providing a GBCI-issued document that you can reference, it might help to reference page 30 of the Certification Policy Manual (https://www.leedonline.com/irj/go/km/docs/documents/usgbc/leed/config/te...), where at the bottom of the page under section NC 13.3, the paragraph on 'Application for Design Review' states:
"Prior to substantial project completion (defined as the date on which the building receives a Certificate of Occupancy or similar official indication that it is fit and ready for use), the Project Administrator or Project Manager shall submit, via LEED Online, a complete application for Design Review. Only credits and prerequisites indicated to be fit for review at the design phase may be submitted for design review."

I hope that helps. If you have any further questions or concerns, you are always welcome to write to us using contact form at http://www.gbci.org/contactus.