HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8023 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No, 8023
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 20, 1996
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ion Project Manager/Early Notification Prograni
In 1994, it was decided that a major change in the review and processing of application for the
Zoning and Plan Commission and Board of Adjustment was needed to facilitate development.
Three areas of concern evolved: 1) the need to work closer with applicants on the processing of
applications through a complicated process, 2) a comprehensive understanding of the interrelated
issues by appointed officials so that they could make better more informed decisions as laymen, and
3) concern of citizens and neighborhoods that they were not fully informed or involved in the
public participation process.
To resolve these issues, staff proposed a project management approach whereby individual staff
would be assigned to a specific application to coordinate and act as a liaison between the applicant
and the City. In addition, this person could be contacted by interested individuals and
neighborhoods for information about the request and guidance on the review and approval process.
Project Managers are selected from the professional staff of the Planning and Development
Departments.
At the end of 1995, a survey of applicants and appointed officials was made to define the value of
the program. Of the 383 applicants contacted, 39 responses were received. There was nearly
complete satisfaction registered. Commissioners and Board members also expressed a high level of
satisfaction.
Concurrent with this at the request of Council, staff developed and implemented an expanded
public notice process that included formal public hearing notices to property owners within 300' of
the subject property under request, and, an informal early notice to neighborhoods.
The early notice to neighborhoods was initiated in October of 1995. Cases are submitted to
registered neighborhoods on the Friday following application deadline or approximately three and a
half weeks prior to a hearing. Assigned project managers are identified on the early notice. There
are 105 neighborhoods registered to receive early notice.
These two programs have combined to provide a method of enhanced project response to
developers and neighborhoods alike. Since the fall of 1995, over 500 cases have been processed
through this program. While not all cases are assigned a project manager; over 50% have been,
resulting in reduced delays in processing and/or greater acceptance by all persons involved.
VA— OFFICIAL rl,;'11';.";011
Bob Terrell CI s I
City Manager U I Y
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS