02-16-12 Regular, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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the end-product is not known. Additionally, businesses usually need space on a relatively short notice, particularly for start-ups, who will not have the time or resources to hire a team of professionals to navigate a process for obtaining multiple zoning approvals. Indeed, undefined or multiple “hoops” may cause businesses to locate elsewhere. Example Guidebook Goal 5.3: Conduct a thorough review of the City’s intake procedures for development projects, business permits, and fee structures with a view toward adopting more expedited and “business-friendly” permitting processes. Actions and Initiatives 1)Consider conducting customer service training for front desk personnel and other key staff members and implementing a survey tool to monitor customer satisfaction. 2)Establish a “streamlined permitting process” for desirable developments. Develop a baseline comparison of La Porte’s development review and permitting process with neighboring communities (e.g., Deer Park, Pasadena, etc.). If no such baseline comparison already exists, then the City should begin tracking the review time for different categories of permitting. Once the data has been collected, the City should hold monthly or quarterly meetings with the development community to review the benchmark data and obtain their feedback regarding their dissatisfaction with the development process. Feedback should be requested on how to improve both regulations and the process. Develop a short- and long-term action plan to resolve issues that do not compromise the integrity of the process or conformity with established regulations. Typically, the development community wants and needs consistency and predictability. So, in some cases, streamlining may not resolve the issue. Sometimes, larger issues with the review process lie in the subjectiveness of project approvals. This can be particularly evident when trying to navigate the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. Relevant feedback from this analysis should be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. 3)Complete Consider creating a guidebook for the development community and residents to utilize during the development process. The guidebook should include descriptions of the types of applications available, flowcharts of each process, A well-designed development tables of submittal and hearing dates, details as to where guidebook can faciliate improved further information may be found, and other items pertinent outcomes (e.g., these pages from to the successful navigation of the process. Zachary, LA). 4)Update the website to make it easier to access information required by the public to secure approval for projects. This Source: Kendig Keast Collaborative. 5.13 Economic 2. 13Adopted July 20, 2009 Dlt