As the disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic linger, forward-looking local government leaders are focused on strengthening the agility, adaptability and sustainability of their organizations as they move through the reopening and recovery stages towards a reset to the “new normal.” A primary imperative, voiced by many, is the need to accelerate economic development in their communities and effectively wield all available tools to do so. Streamlining and simplifying the regulatory processes that govern community development activity can be one such tool in a comprehensive COVID-19 economic recovery strategy toolkit.
Symptoms that might lead a community to consider a development process review include:
As shown in the graphic below, the typical land development regulatory process involves a sequential set of tasks that support a systematic development plan evaluation. From initial pre-application conferences, through the submittal of applications and plans for review, public hearings, appearances before planning and governing bodies for approval, inspections and final certificates of occupancy, significant time and resources are expended to assure the quality, safety and compliance of development consistent with community standards. These primary process steps are supported by additional processes to ensure customer service, financial controls and data accuracy. Depending on the size of the development project under review, this process can consume considerable time and costs on the part of both applicants and regulators. Communities that have – or are perceived to have – cumbersome, excessively complex or inconsistent development processes risk reputational damage in the development community that can impair their ability to attract the quality of future development they desire.
“Customer-friendly” development processes based on best practices share many essential attributes. They are characterized by:
A thorough analysis and redesign of development processes will usually involve the following elements:
Undertaking a thorough assessment of the land development process, enlisting the support and participation of the development community in the assessment and implementing changes designed to streamline and simplify the customer experience demonstrates a commitment to the long-term economic vitality of the community. Furthermore, ensuring an efficient and effective development process can enable both development prospects and city decision-makers to focus on realizing the community’s economic development vision rather than the mechanical details of the regulatory process.
Baker Tilly can help
For more information, or to learn how Baker Tilly’s public sector economic development specialists can help, contact our team.