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Planning Department says permit backlog shrank sharply; DBI to clear plan-review backlog by month'end
Summary
Planning staff told supervisors a steep decline in application volume has reduced backlog and that process reforms (single-case managers, discretionary review reform, consultant pools, triage) have shortened environmental-review assignment time from eight months to about four; DBI told the committee it expects to clear its plan-review backlog by month'end as building permit volume is down about 45%.
Planning Department leaders told the Budget & Finance Committee that a steep fall in development filings has materially reduced backlog and allowed staff to clear older assignments faster. "We needed 3 and a half years with the staff levels we had at the time to get through the total volume," Alicia John Battiste said. "As of 11/01/2008, with the rate of applications we're receiving today ... we need less than a year with existing staff levels to get through the entire backlog as well as any new applications that come in the door."
Assistant Director Larry Badner outlined an "action plan" of process reforms intended to keep permit review moving even as application mix changes: discretionary review reform to reduce unnecessary hearings, assigning a single planner to manage whole projects, use of a pre-qualified consultant pool, and early triage telling applicants which studies are required so consultants can begin work while the case awaits assignment.
Acting DBI Director Vivian Day told the committee DBI's plan-review backlog will be caught up "by the end of the month," noting building-permit business is down roughly 45% through October and that the department is redeploying staff and expanding over-the-counter operations. Day warned that catching up could create redeployment and potential staffing challenges later if permit volumes recover.
Supervisors pressed for more detail on performance standards, specific timelines and how cuts could affect service levels; planning staff said they will provide more granular lists of frozen capital projects, vacant-position savings and program-level impacts as part of the mayor's budget process and upcoming follow-up hearings.
