Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
Status Indicator: 
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Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 4.33 Enhance interdepartmental collaboration in the development review process
Innovative & High Performing Organization
Description
This initiative has been created to enhance coordination and collaboration on development review related matters. It will be focused on improving available guidance on when collaboration pertaining to the development process should be happening, how it should be happening, and who will coordinate the collaboration. It will also assist in formalizing a process for escalating development process related issues if collaboration is not resulting in solutions in a timely manner.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
This chart shows the total by-right and legislative cases processed by the Durham City-County Planning Department for each of the past six fiscal years. The data demonstrates a fairly consistent trend in both the volume and type of cases being processed from year to year.
Development Cases Processed:
Why is it important?
Citizens, developers, design professionals, and city staff will benefit from this initiative because the paths to communication and collaboration as they pertain to the development process will be enhanced by creating greater transparency and more predictability.
What have we been doing?
As part of this initiative, a Communication Protocol outlining the optimal modes and methods of communication that occurs during the development review process was established in Q2 FY 2025.
Additionally, process maps outlining the development review process from start to finish were developed. These process maps have been shared with all relevant partner workgroup departments to ensure accuracy and consistency with Durham brand guidelines.
Also, on-going monitoring and support has been provided to members of the development community with projects currently in review. This includes several affordable housing development projects that total a combined 788 units.
What's next?
The finalized development review process maps will serve as the foundation for a Development Ombuds Program webpage. This webpage will provide helpful resources to individuals involved in the development review process, including process maps, links to applications, forms, and applicable fee schedules. The Development Ombuds Program will be responsible for tracking web traffic statistics to determine ways to optimize the presentation of information.
Additionally, the Development Ombuds Program will continue to provide monitoring and support for development projects currently in the review pipeline.
Lastly, the Development Ombuds Program will support the replacement of LDO, Development Case Tracking System.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
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