South Portland looks to streamline development review and permitting process
PHOTO Courtesy of the City of South Portland
South Portland from the north
The city of South Portland says it can streamline its permitting and development review processes, so that timelines can be shortened for developers and they can have a better experience when seeking project approvals.
South Portland is Maine’s fourth-largest community, with a population of 27,000 and more than a dozen neighborhoods.
Changes made in recent months have already reduced building permit processing times by three weeks, according to a news release.
The city credited Milan Nevajda, director of planning and development, and Nicholaus Richard, director of code enforcement, for the improvement.
The changes came about when several members of the South Portland City Council expressed concerns they've heard about the timeliness of issuing permits.
The South Portland Planning and Development Department conducted an internal analysis and presented data and findings at a recent council workshop.
Staff noted that the department had put some changes in place over recent months, including:
- A reorganization to streamline workflow
- Adding a staff member to meet the demands of the community
- Streamlining the process for the review of subdivisions
- Allowing accessory dwelling units to be approved through administrative review
- Expanded allowances for staff and expedited planning board review
- Updated application forms and information on the city website to simplify electronic application submission
- Investment in new online application and permitting software, expected to go live this fiscal year
- Strengthened training and professional certification program for staff.
The department enlisted the Greater Portland Council of Governments to survey communities similar in size to South Portland and compare processes and timelines for a variety of project types, including both residential and commercial projects.
The report showed the city is efficient with its permitting of accessory dwelling units and that it can achieve greater efficiency for larger and more complex projects, according to the news release.
In a memo to the council, Nevajda outlined additional changes the department will seek to make based on the GPCOG report, including:
- Reducing permitting requirements for small structures such as sheds and decks
- Expanding staff authority to approve routine development review of minor projects and de minimis, or small, changes
- Tracking key performance indicators on staff processing time
- Allowing administrative review of development of nonconforming lots
- Simplifying various development standards
- Implementing the new electronic application and permitting system currently underway.
In the coming months, the intention is to draft proposals for changes to ordinances or policies that will require formal approval by the City Council or Planning Board. Certain changes that can be implemented administratively will be done on a quicker timeline.
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