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Council approves $1.252 million for planning and land‑use systems, short‑term‑rental tracking and development review improvements
Summary
The committee approved a BAR allocating $1,252,000 to Planning & Land Use for computer upgrades, an e-review consultant, short‑term rental enforcement software (Avenue), and a development review handbook; staff said the systems will improve permit review, enforcement and public-facing guidance.
Planning & Land Use Director Lamboy presented a BAR to fund equipment, software and consulting for the department. The Quality of Life Committee approved the BAR.
Planned expenditures include approximately $27,000 for computer upgrades in the Building Permit Division, an $80,000 e‑review consultant (Park Consulting) to improve the InterGov permitting platform and support concurrent rather than linear review workflows, and additional funds previously appropriated in 2024 for building and planning modules. Director Lamboy said staff will beta-test improvements with the Builders Group, the Land Use Working Group and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The BAR also funds Avenue software to improve short‑term rental tracking, enforcement and integration with finance (for tax/cashiering). Lamboy said Avenue offers better data and integration than the department’s prior tool and that preliminary vendor data show a larger number of unregistered short‑term rentals than city records indicate. The software is expected to aid enforcement and policy discussions.
Finally, the BAR provides funds to develop a plain‑language development review handbook, checklists and process improvements, using a Lean-like review of back‑office steps so applicants and residents better understand permitting, inspections and timelines.
Councilors asked staff to ensure materials are written in lay language for residents and to coordinate short‑term‑rental work with a code‑enforcement office. The motion to approve the BAR passed on roll call: Councilors Castro, Travis, Garcia, Faulkner and the chair voted yes (5–0).
