Streamlining Development Regulation:Bonita Springs, Cape Coral & Fort Myers Fort Myers City HallMarch 15, 2013

*Streamlining Development Regulations

*Offer the most competitive services in the region

Reduce the regulatory review times

Simplify the rules and processes to improve submittals

Establish consistency to remove uncertainty Streamlining Goals

*Streamlining EffortsExamined our processes and procedures

Developed work flowcharts of the 12 most frequently used processes

Conducted analysis

Eliminated many redundant or unnecessary steps

Found solutions and improved the system

*Plan Review Time ReductionSite Permits

PERMIT TYPEBEFOREAFTERDriveway/Sidewalk217ROW Commercial217ROW Single Driveway217ROW Double Driveway217Sealing & Striping2110Site Work/Utilities2121Underground Utilities2110Utility Connection2110

*Plan Review Target Times Building Permits

Chart1

1200

7190

2221

Initial

Resubmit

Revision

Before Streamlining (21 Permit Types)

Sheet1

21 Day10 Day7 Day

Initial1272

Resubmit0192

Revision0021

Chart1

600

400

13240

2226

Initial

Resubmit

Revision

After Streamlining(26 Permit Types)

Sheet1

21 Day14 Day10 Day7 Day

Initial64132

Resubmit00242

Revision00026

*Plan Review Time ReductionBuilding Permits

COMMERCIAL PERMIT TYPEBEFOREAFTERRenovations2114Interior Build-Out2114Demolition2110Concrete Slab 2110Marine Related2110Moving a Building2110Cell Towers New/Modification2110Retaining Wall2110

*Streamlining BenefitsCost savings and project speed may determine if a project moves forward

A consistent and efficient development process allows developers to know there will be no surprises

There can be intense competition between various locations; a streamlined development process gives us a competitive edge

Both this volume of residential permits, and the Citys desire to be a destination for commercial development, have led the City to develop permit streamlining procedures.

Commercial Land Distribution

Corridor Studies identified distribution of various types of commercial centers;

Current Streamlining ActionsProvide checklists of submission requirements;Review applications for completeness prior to accepting the applications;Provide pre-application advisory meeting to guide applicants;Eliminated the notary requirement for most pages of an application;Implemented an automated system of performance tracking;

Eight days to respond to permit (1st review), review times lessen after 1st review;Procedures in-place to require meeting with applicant if re-submittal does not meet standards; andProcedures in-place to ensure applicant/City communication to reduce turnover time between reviews.Current Streamlining Actions

Future StreamliningEfforts are being made to revise certain City procedures that currently require a public hearing to be reviewed administratively (certain variances, Planned Development Projects).City has recently audited its procedures with support from Zucker Planning Systems. Results are expected by March 2013.

Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida PresentationMarch 15, 2013

Created a Task Force in March 2012 to forge partnerships with:Bonita Springs Fire and Rescue DistrictBonita Springs UtilitiesSouthwest Florida Water Management District

Instituted One-Stop permitting process with Community Partners

Partnership with Bonita Springs/Estero EDC

City designated Business Advocate

Instated the Philosophy of the 3- Ps*Painless *Predictable *Profitable

Expedited PermittingComplimentary pre-application meetings and architectural reviews with community partners at the table

LDC Regulatory IncentivesShared and reduced parking by Administrative Approval (saving 6 months of processing)

Lowered parking lot ratios for selected uses thereby reducing impervious surface

Bonita Springs Priority Permitting Process:

Targeted Businesses receive front of the line service for permit processing.

Bonita Springs Utilities Aid in New Construction (ANC) Fee Credits for Economic Development:

The City in partnership with Bonita Springs Utilities provides an Aid in New Construction (ANC) fee credits program. Projects receive a reduction in their one time connection costs for plant capacity for utilities.

Naples/Fort Myers Greyhound Track: Bonita Beach Road and Old 41 Road (slots, gaming and 100 acres of undeveloped land)

Density Reduction Groundwater Recharge Area (DRGR)

Shopping Center renovationsCenter of Bonita: US 41 and Bonita Beach Road- new Publix and reconfiguration of internal circulationPrado Shopping Center: Bernwood Parkway and US 41- Faade renovation

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