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Recommendations <br />Staff observes frustration in the building permitting process from time to time, which is illustrated in the <br />permit tracking sheet attached as Exhibit B. This frustration can often be tied to requests "for more <br />information". Many times more information is necessary because a permit is incomplete; most often <br />due to incomplete or incorrect escrow agreement, the submitted information is incomplete, or staff has <br />follow up questions in the review. <br />Our zoning regulations and our review processes , including what requires a permit, what doesn't; what <br />information is required for a permit (surveys, etc.), what requires a variance, and our escrow process, <br />are all based on a problem, or anticipated problem, observed in the past. It is appropriate from time to <br />time to examine our ordinances and processes to determine if they are too "top heavy". The % story <br />definition amendment is a good example where the cost to implement the ordinance got to be greater <br />than the value received from its' protections. <br />The Council should understand that the relaxation of any process and procedure may result in <br />unintended consequences, however carefully a process is amended. In the review of our regulations, <br />process, and procedures, there is opportunities to improve the timing of permit issuance and other <br />expectations. For example, Staff spends time on nearly all applications (land use and building) chasing a <br />signed escrow agreement. The Council could reexamine the escrow deposit needs, and perhaps reduce <br />the instances where they are required. <br />Additionally, a review of the survey requirements, started a couple of years ago, could continue to <br />ensure the Council and staff request and receive adequate information to make informed decisions. In <br />November, in the annual review of the ordinances, staff will identify those ordinance amendments that <br />could ease the burden on the applicant in terms of permitting or information gathering. <br />Other areas where improvement could yield positive results are in training (included in the 2017 budget) <br />improving the forms, and adding online permitting for certain projects. It might also be advantageous to <br />form a task force with builders and Council members to review processes and recommend changes. <br />Staff will facilitate additional discussion at the meeting. <br />