2024-04-08-minutes-public-works-study-session

Home Browse Search

However, not all delays in processing permits are due to applicant errors or delays. We found several other factors are just as — or more — important in explaining delays in processing land use permits. These factors may be present at more than one of the audited governments even though we only mention one as an example. Additionally, because we based our observations on a judgmental selection of permits that exceeded the 120-day timeline, our results should not be assumed to affect all of each government's permits. Some permits are complex and difficult to process Some projects are more complex in themselves and require land use, civil and building permits. Each must be completed to correct standards, usually by several departments with different expertise. This means the most difficult permit can delay the review process for other permits on the project, as local governments typically assemble all project feedback from different departments into a combined letter. In addition, available vacant land can be difficult to build on. Especially in more populous areas, flat and simple land has already been developed, so what remains may contain or be next to critical areas — shorelines, wetlands, slopes or other factors that require protection or extra caution in building. These can require governments to ask for additional surveys by the applicant, and can require consultation with, or permits from, state or federal agencies. Additionally, these factors can present regulatory complications. Some local government planning managers noted that regulations have grown more complex over the last few decades, while the 120-day deadline has remained unchanged. Regulations can also offer a legal avenue of challenge for opponents of a project, which can also contribute to delays. A variety of other factors may slow down processing Aside from such overarching reasons for a delay in issuing permits, audited governments described several other factors that contributed to delays during the audit's review period. The COVID-19 pandemic, unsurprisingly, resulted in delays for permits in 2020 and into 2021 as staff retired early, took sick Ieave and transitioned to working from home. In one case, in Kittitas County, a hearing on a permit scheduled for March 2020 was delayed until the following October, while the government's leaders figured out how to hold a virtual hearing that met legal requirements. Three additional issues — one also associated with the pandemic — caused delays at several audited governments, pertaining to staffing and inefficient processes. Insufficient staf, including engineers Managers at several governments said they lost staff during the pandemic, and now find themselves unable to fill all the vacancies needed to clear the backlog of permit reviews. Managers said there are few qualified people and stiff competition to hire Growth Management Act Audit Results 122