Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DPP highlights IT modernization, Bill 7 grants and staffing shortfalls as priorities in FY27
Summary
Department of Planning and Permitting director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna told the committee DPP's FY27 priorities include implementing a new core permitting system, managing Bill 7 grant projects, and reducing a 21% vacancy rate that has constrained permit-review capacity.
Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, director of the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), told the Committee on Budget that DPP's FY27 priorities center on technology implementation, reducing review friction and addressing staffing shortages.
Apuna said DPP is focused on a “people, processes and technology” framework to modernize permitting workflows and reduce backlog. She said DPP has tightened operating spending and added only one net FTE while continuing to pursue a core permitting system and related subscription costs.
Bill 7 grants and permitting progress Apuna provided an update on Bill 7 implementation (the City program to expedite certain housing projects), saying DPP has identified 58 Bill 7 projects with a potential of 1,752 units; of those, she said 189 units have been added, 7 projects are under construction and 35 are under review. Post-construction grants awarded to date total $1.9 million across six awards; three pre-construction award applications were pending at the time of the hearing.
Staffing, backlog and contract reviewers DPP reported 85 vacancies out of 394 authorized positions (a 21% vacancy rate). Apuna said the department expects to fill 15 positions by June and 35 in FY27. She described the department's reliance on overtime for building plan examiners and on FRF-funded third-party reviewers for high-volume disciplines like electrical review; those contracts are scheduled to run out and DPP said it will evaluate needs as its technology implemention progresses.
Enforcement and revenue opportunities Councilmembers asked about short-term rental registration and enforcement; Apuna said registration staffing exists within DPP and that enforcement capacity requires filling inspection vacancies. DPP projected increased registration fees and enforcement would raise revenue but did not commit to specific enforcement hires in the FY27 ask.
What’s next DPP said it will continue implementing the permitting system and pursue staffing to reduce backlog. The department asked for continued council support for Bill 7 grant funding and technological subscriptions needed to sustain permit-processing improvements.
