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Consultants recommend new permit tracking, case‑management and code‑enforcement changes to overhaul Planning Department operations
Summary
Matrix Consulting presented a draft process‑improvement report to the Planning Commission recommending a commercial off‑the‑shelf permit system, clearer accountability, a case‑manager model, and reallocation of discretionary reviews to administrative bodies; staff said some recommendations are already in progress and asked commissioners for prioritization and budget guidance.
Matrix Consulting presented a draft report on Feb. 7 that recommended reorganizing parts of the Planning Department to improve performance and accountability and to replace the department—s aging permit‑tracking system.
Gary Gollitz of Matrix told commissioners the study proposes five themes: (1) update and reorganize the planning code and interpretations, (2) replace the permit tracking system with a commercial off‑the‑shelf automated system and require all divisions to use it, (3) install stronger case management and accountability with cycle‑time objectives, (4) streamline the land‑entitlement and environmental review processes, and (5) strengthen code enforcement through a citation system and better field resources.
Gollitz estimated that categorical exemption processing in San Francisco was far more time‑consuming than comparable cities and said the department should tailor review depth to project scale: "Categorical exemption permits in this community cost approximately 30 times the amount in other communities," he said. The report also urged rotating staff across divisions and creating clearer project timelines for large citywide planning efforts.
Director and staff reaction: Planning staff told commissioners they had already begun implementing several recommendations (for example, administrative citation authority) and that the Matrix report should inform the department—s budget priorities. Commissioners asked Matrix and staff to prioritize the items and provide cost estimates and an implementation timeline to feed into the budget process.
What happens next: Staff said it will work with Matrix to identify which recommendations to adopt first and return with a management response and a proposed implementation timetable for the commission and budget process.
