Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
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Initiative: 4.33 Enhance interdepartmental collaboration in the development review process
Innovative & High Performing Organization
Description
Strategic Goal Initiative 4.33 aims to improve the coordination and collaboration surrounding development review matters. This initiative will focus on clarifying the guidance around when collaboration should take place during the development process, how it should be conducted, and who is responsible for managing that collaboration. Additionally, it will help establish a formal process to escalate any issues related to the development process if collaboration does not yield timely solutions.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
This chart illustrates the total number of legislative cases and administrative reviews handled by the Durham City-County Planning Department over the last six fiscal years. The data reveals a stable trend in both the quantity and nature of cases processed annually.
Development Cases Processed:
Why is it important?
Initiative 4.33 will significantly benefit residents of Durham, developers, design professionals, and city staff by enhancing communication and collaboration in the development process. By fostering greater transparency and predictability, it aims to streamline interactions among all stakeholders involved.
What have we been doing?
As part of this initiative, a Communication Protocol was established in Q2 FY 2025 to outline the best modes and methods of communication during the development review process.
Also, process maps were created to provide the basis for the creation of a Development Ombuds Program webpage.
Lastly, the program has provided ongoing support to the development community for projects currently under review, including several affordable housing development projects totaling a combined 788 units.
What's next?
The establishment of a Development Ombuds Program webpage, which will offer essential resources for participants in the development review process, including information on the stages of the process, links to department applications, and applicable fee schedules. The Development Ombuds Program will monitor web traffic statistics to enhance the effectiveness of the information presented.
Also, the Development Ombuds Program will continue to monitor and provide support to ongoing development projects in the review pipeline that need assistance.
Finally, the Program will lend support in the effort to integrate new software systems that will enhance the capabilities of the partner workgroups involved in development review.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
Budget and Management Services Department
Office of Performance and Innovation
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