In many cities and townships the process of approving a new development can be long and arduous for the developer. In some instances, approvals must be obtained from a long list of agencies, not always in the same jurisdiction. As a result, investors are often wary of committing to a desirable investment project because of the long approval period when they must tie up their capital.
Cities can encourage investment and economic development by developing a "Rapid Approval Process." It is desirable for two primary reasons; 1) it encourages investment and 2) it doesn't cost the city anything. It can be a "win-win" situation for both the investor and the municipality.
To establish a Rapid Approval Process, a number of steps should be considered by a community. First, a review should be made of the existing process, with special note made of inefficiencies and unnecessary delays. The process should be oriented to an assumption that projects are approved if development standards are met, rather than an assumption of shortcomings. This change in perspective can lead to other changes that will make the approval process more straightforward.
A next step is to establish a single office for the entire approval process. Rather than going from office to office, desk to desk, clerk to clerk, each citing differing requirements, a "one-stop" desk would be of great appeal to potential developers. The responsibility for efficiency in the approval process then becomes the responsibility of the city, rather than the developer, a responsibility the city should be willing to accept.
Other steps that would streamline the approval process include:
The community should also review all relevant ordinances to ensure they are up-to-date, clear and not encumbered with obsolete sections.
| Economic development | Scottsdale's OneStop Center |
|---|
