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We advocate this system because it promotes processing consistency and efficiency
and facilitates coordination and communication throughout the permitting Process.
Planners have also told us that they find this system more fulfilling because it elevates
planning staff from processors and regulators to managers and problem-solvers.
In our interviews with staff and focus groups, we were told that the Planners are not
empowered to make certain decisions and drive the review process with related
functions, such as building, public works, fire, police and parks to ensure that reviews
are timely and relevant. For example, it was widely reported that engineering reviews
are often untimely and planners have little ability to ensure reviews are on time.
In addition, focus group participants indicated that planners do not invite applicants to
Design Review Committee (DRC) meetings to participate in issue discussions and
that preliminary and conceptual meetings are ineffective because feedback is
inconsistent.
See our discussions under the “Design Review Committee” and the
“Conceptual/Non-RDCS Preliminary Plan Review” headings below.
In addition, it was reported that staff recommendations can be changed by
management during the staff report editing process, without any discussion or
advance communication with the project planner or applicant, which creates
significant frustration and has negatively impacted staff morale and developer
perceptions (see our discussion under “Process Issues” regarding the CDD informing
staff about report changes).
Further, although planners remain involved in a project through the implementation
stage (e.g., building and engineering permits and mitigation monitoring), developers
reported that they are left on their own at times to work out engineering-related
improvement issues with the Public Works department.
Planning Project Management Systems are those where Planners perform all of the
following functions.
Arrange for and lead pre-application meeting discussions that provide formal
written feedback to applicants from all development-related functions;
Conduct qualitative reviews of new planning applications to determine whether
they are complete prior to processing;
Drive, coordinate and track plan routing and review to other reviewing
agencies and groups to ensure timely and relevant reviews are conducted;
Coordinate input from outside regional, state or federal agencies to ensure
timely and relevant reviews and help resolve issues that are identified;