Ennis staff outlines development process, pledges 'project champion' and OpenGov improvements

City planning staff led a development-process workshop on May 12 to explain how developers move projects through entitlement, land development and vertical construction, and to describe changes designed to reduce delays in permitting.

Staff described three broad phases: entitlement (annexation and zoning), land development (infrastructure, civil plans and plats) and vertical construction (building permits and certificate of occupancy). Presenter (identified on the record as Director Howard) cited the city’s Unified Development Ordinance and relevant Texas statutes — including sections that govern subdivision, annexation and the Zoning Board of Adjustment appeals process — and stressed early coordination with staff to avoid incomplete filings.

Key timeframes cited by staff include up to six weeks from application submission to the first Planning & Zoning (P&Z) meeting (to allow for staff completeness review and neighborhood notice) and up to four weeks from P&Z recommendation to commission decision. Staff said in-house plan reviews typically take at least 14 days; larger commercial projects are often sent to third-party review with a 10–14-day first-round turnaround. For certain inspection requests the planning and health sides aim for an initial response within 48 hours.

To reduce mixed messages, staff announced plans to assign a "project champion" — a single point of contact responsible for coordinating comments across departments and guiding applicants through OpenGov, the city’s online permitting portal. "We will be implementing what's called a project champion," the presenter said. "The role is ensuring that this project moves along and that the comments...will be conveyed in a way where it's very clear." (Presenter: Director Howard.)

Commissioners raised persistent concerns about long lag times between applicant corrections and staff responses. "I just ask communication, timely responses," the mayor said, urging staff to acknowledge receipt and update applicants within about 24 hours when possible. City leadership acknowledged shortcomings and described an incremental implementation: project champions have been assigned to new large projects, and staff will expand the practice and training over time.

Staff also said the city formally adopted the 2021 International Code Council building and housing codes in January 2024, and explained that certificates of occupancy remain valid unless the property changes ownership or use; in those cases a new CO is required to ensure compliance with current codes.

Why it matters: Developers, business owners and residents have reported perceived delays and inconsistent feedback. The project-champion model and better use of OpenGov aim to shorten turnaround and reduce repeated or unclear staff comments.

What’s next: Staff will continue incremental deployment of project champions, develop onboarding and training for P&Z and ZBA members, and review the OpenGov workflow to consolidate repeated attachments. Commissioners were asked to forward constituent cases to staff to help target process improvements.

Selected quotes from the meeting: Director Howard: "Early coordination helps prevent delays later in the project." Mayor (role): "I just ask communication, timely responses." City Manager: "We are incrementally improving that process because it takes a whole mentality change."