IFC for 4/2 - Reform of City's Development Review, Inspecti

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John Michael Cortez
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:15 pm

IFC for 4/2 - Reform of City's Development Review, Inspecti

Post by John Michael Cortez »

The Mayor, in collaboration with members of the Council Planning and Neighborhoods Committee and City Staff, has posted the following resolution for the Council's consideration at its April 2nd meeting. We look forward to discussing it next week. - jmvc

Council Resolution: Implementation of Development Review and Permitting Reforms

Whereas, development review and permitting are essential elements of an effective and efficient land development process, affecting everything from small home or business renovations to large commercial development; and
Whereas, the working draft of the Analysis of the Planning and Development Review Department by Zucker Systems (Zucker report) confirms persistent delays in development review and permitting, a complex land development code, inconsistent code applications, and other serious organizational and process challenges and inefficiencies; and
Whereas, the delays and inconsistencies of Austin’s development review and permitting process increase the cost and delay of small business expansion, and other desirable development, and inhibit the city’s ability to respond to growing demand for housing, thus contributing in part to Austin’s current affordability crisis, and
Whereas, the draft Zucker report recommends numerous short-term and long-term actions to improve Austin’s development review and permitting process; and
Whereas, the Austin City Manager has already taken some steps to resolve Austin’s development review and permitting issues, including commissioning the Zucker report, initiating the Code NEXT process, initiating organizational changes to the Planning and Development Review Department, and making progress toward acceptance of online payments; and
Whereas, the Austin City Council desires even higher priority and greater attention given to fixing the challenges presented; now
Therefore be it Resolved, that the Austin City Council directs the City Manager to provide within 30 days a plan to eliminate the citywide backlogs in the Planning and Development Review Department and other departments involved in, and sharing responsibility for, the development review and inspections process; and
Further be it Resolved, that the Austin City Council directs the City Manager to provide within 60 days from the date of the finalized Zucker Report, but no later than June 30, 2015, a detailed response to the Zucker Report and a recommended implementation plan to address the development review and permitting challenges, identified therein. The plan should address, but not be limited to:
1. Improving the utility of the One Stop Shop to improve customer service, communication, and responsiveness of all involved divisions and departments
2. Improved engagement with neighborhoods and their associations, environmental community, small business interests and other stakeholders
3. Recommended metrics for performance goals and objectives so as to measure success
4. Recommended policy and budget changes, and any new tools necessary to ensure reforms are implemented expeditiously, effectively, and successfully; and
Further be it Resolved, that the City Manager shall provide the council with detailed reports on the progress of development and permitting process reforms on a regular basis, but not less frequently than every 60 days; and
Further be it Resolved, that the metrics for measuring success for all divisions and departments involved in, and sharing responsibility for, the development review and inspections process, will include, but not be limited to:
1. Those related to the number and backlog of pending requests for development review and permit applications
2. The time required for development review and permit application processing
3. The consistency of rule and ordinance application by staff
4. Strengthening the culture of customer service and assistance
5. Providing a positive experience for development and permit applicants
Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor
Leslie Pool
Posts: 231
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:22 pm

Re: IFC for 4/2 - Reform of City's Development Review, Insp

Post by Leslie Pool »

All, I support this effort and am very interested in the analysis and roll out of the Zucker Report. My staff and I plan to attend the Zucker briefings scheduled for April 8 at the Palmer Events Center. I also look forward to discussion on the Mayor's resolution relating to improvement metrics for the Permitting Office and the work the City Manager will direct in achieving the improvements.

My office will also help get the word out about the Zucker Report briefings and the public comment period.

Leslie
Leslie Pool
Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member, District 7
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