Planning & Inspections outlines one-stop shop, workload and code cleanup goals
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Summary
Planning & Inspections staff reviewed department resources and caseloads: one-stop shop at 811 Texas, increased in-person customer service, a pilot of review software, 637 zoning applications and 661 subdivision cases processed in 2025, and goals to update the code and remove outdated waivers.
Planning & Inspections staff provided a department overview and metrics for 2025 at the City Plan Commission meeting.
Assistant Director Kevin Smith summarized the "one-stop shop" at 811 Texas ("City 4") as the central point for land-development permitting and described efforts to update the department's website, application checklists and training to reduce rework and improve customer service. He said staff are testing Bluebeam software to improve review of subdivisions and detailed site plans.
Luis Zamora reported zoning-section activity (637 applications reviewed by the section in 2025, with a portion requiring public hearings before the commission and others handled administratively) and outlined goals to post more zoning information online and remove outdated code waivers. Ismael Segovia reported subdivision work: 661 subdivision-related cases in 2025, of which roughly 78 came to the City Plan Commission and 583 were handled administratively; his subdivision goals include revising operating procedures, returning to team reviews for training, and encouraging planners to pursue CNU/AICP certification.
Right-of-way management (Armida Martinez) described permits for special privileges (banners, planters, patios), subsurface encroachments and small wireless cells (subject to FCC/state shot-clock rules), and detailed coordination needed for special events (traffic control plans, police/fire/TxDOT/Sun Metro coordination). Archives and records staff reported 2,712 open-records requests in 2025, increased scanning of paper plan sets and continuing digitization goals to reduce response time.
