Community Development: Streamlining Presentation

STREAMLINING THE PERMITTING PROCESS

Horizon CouncilNovember 22, 2013

Prepared by Department of Community Development

Regulatory streamlining is a high priority for the Horizon Council.

“Time and Certainty”

OVERVIEW

• What we’ve done and where we’re going

– Customer Service

– Technology (we are really excited about this!)

– Zoning and Development Orders

– Comprehensive Plan

– Future Plans

CUSTOMER SERVICE

One Stop Shop is Essential

Customer Convenience and Efficiency

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Friendly “Superhero” Staff

No they don’t always dress like this!

STREAMLINING IDEAS

Customers

Business Issues Task

Force

BCC and County

Administration

Other Committees

Staff

COME FROM MANY SOURCES

PERMITTING IS FAST!!

Building Permits

A FEW STATISTICS

Building Permits (annual)

36,442

Total building permits issued

63,709

Building inspections

scheduled by phone

35,841

Customers helped at counter

Coming soon online

TECHNOLOGY = EFFICIENCY

• Electronic permitting –used for building permit applications for two years; volume doubled in 1 year (966 to 2,000+)

• Coming soon – eCheck payment option (January)

• Now expanding to development orders and zoning actions

CUSTOMERS LOVE ELECTRONIC OPTIONS!

GOAL:Provide all customers

the option to handle

transactions electronically

–Go Green! Save time

and money!

“It’s the easiest submittal process I’ve used, and I love it. It makes submitting and resubmitting our application

packets so simple.”

“We love it! Everyone is doing a great job,

you have a wonderful and helpful staff.”

“I love the e-plan submission; it has been a God-send,

wonderful and easy to use.”

“I currently do most of my permitting online with most

counties. I must say that Lee County to me is the easiest and most efficient. Responses are very prompt and the system is

great.” “I love being able to do online permitting. I like how everything works. It's very easy to work and learn. Thanks!!”Go Green!

“We love it! Everyone is doing a

great job, you have a wonderful and helpful staff.”

“It’s the easiest submittal process I’ve used, and I

love it. It makes submitting and

resubmitting our application packets so

simple.”

“I love the e-plan submission; it has been a God-send,

wonderful and easy to use.”

“I love being able to do online permitting. I like how everything works.

It's very easy to work and learn. Thanks!!”

“I currently do most of my permitting online with most

counties. I must say that Lee County to me is the easiest

and most efficient. Responses are very prompt and the

system is great.”

GOAL:

Provide all customers the option to handle

transactions electronically –

Save time and money!Go Green!

• Some things we do already

– Dedicated phone lines for building and zoning information

– “Free” informal meetings and custom meetings

– Team reviews with project managers

– Assigned staff “person of the day”

ZONING & DEVELOPMENT ORDERS

These are real customers, not actors!

ZONING & DEVELOPMENT ORDERS

• What we’ve done recently with assistance from the Business Issues Task Force

– Change code to allow more “administrative reviews” which eliminates public hearings and shortens process

– Shortened zoning “sufficiency” review times

– Mandatory meetings to iron out issues with applicant

ZONING & DEVELOPMENT ORDERS

– Revised and reduced all application requirements = less paperwork

– Combined development order categories

PROCESSES ARE BECOMING SHORTER

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

• First major review since 1984– Assistance from:

• Horizon Council Business Issues Task Force• Local Planning Agency• Community Sustainability Advisory Committee• 80+ meetings held throughout the county

SOME PROPOSED CHANGES

• Future vision for the County

– Higher densities in urban areas

– More focus on Economic Development

– Integrate transportation and land use

– Streamline concurrency and other requirements

– Make redevelopmenteasier

FUTURE PLANS

• What’s next

– ePlan electronicreview for zoningand development orders

– eCheck payment option

– Continued focus on shortening processes

FUTURE PLANS

– Finalize the comprehensive plan (Spring 2014)

– Review of codes - “use groups” and “zoning districts” for consolidation and streamlining

– Work with Hearing Examiner on time frames for zoning and code enforcement

– Continue to work with Business Issues Task Force

To download the full report, go to

www.leegov.com/dcd

Thank you!Business Issues Task

Force and Staff