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Burleson staff outlines development‑service reforms; council backs delegating routine plat approvals
Summary
Development Services presented process improvements to speed plan reviews, recommended delegating routine plat approvals to staff and proposed a 'concierge' development coordinator; council supported the direction and asked staff to return with code amendments and any mid‑year budget requests.
City staff told the Burleson City Council they will move to streamline development reviews, delegate routine plat approvals, improve communications with applicants and explore outsourcing technical engineering reviews to address staffing shortfalls and a rising workload.
Tony McElwain, director of Development Services, gave metrics showing the department issued 3,703 permits, reviewed more than 800 plans and performed more than 11,500 inspections in the last fiscal year with reduced staff. McElwain proposed several improvements including delegation of plat approval authority for standard plats, flexible intake windows to avoid arbitrary submission deadlines, posting development flowcharts online, centralized plan tracking and a proposed development coordinator (a liaison or “concierge” position) to guide applicants.
Council members praised the communication and delegation proposals and asked staff to consider outsourcing specialized engineering reviews if needed; the city manager’s office said it will bring a code revision for plat delegation and, if necessary, a budget amendment or mid‑year position request after further assessment.
McElwain warned the department is stretched and that the most urgent needs include engineering support and additional inspectors; council members encouraged phasing improvements while ensuring technical quality through potential contract support.
