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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-63-94liff Subject: BUILDING PERMIT TARGET DATE Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD -63 -94 be received for information; and 2. THAT a copy of Report PD -63 -94 be forwarded to the Durham Home Builders Association. 1. BACKGROUND: 1.1 On April 26, 1993, Council passed the following resolution: "THAT the Director of Planning and Development proceed to set target dates for various types of standard building permit applications and prepare a suitable format to track and report these target dates." 2. COMMENTS: 2.1 As a result of Council's direction, the Director undertook a comprehensive review of the building permit process and have held several meetings with all staff, including Public Works staff, who are involved in the process. The objective is to streamline the building permit process as well as to arrive at realistic target dates for the issuance of various types of standard building permit applications. 2.2 In determining the target dates, staff have examined the following factors: ...2 JJ� RPAPER� RECYCLE THI5 6 PRIMED M RECYCLED PAPER REPORT NO.: PD -63 -94 PAGE 2 a) What is the current procedure and what measures are necessary to expedite the process? b) What is available in terms of computer technology that could assist in reducing manhour and paper works and to assist in the monitoring of the target date performance? c) What are the current problems caused in the delay in the issuance of building permit and what options are available to alleviate the problems? d) What was the building permit volume in the last few years and what is the anticipated volume in the next few years? e) What is the current available manpower and what is the implications related to seasonal fluctuation, staff vacation, illness etc.? 2.3 In consideration of the above factors, staff develop target dates for various types of standard building permit applications as follows: Type of Permit Working Day from Application Ito Issuance Unenclosed and Detached Deck 1 - 2 days' over 10 sq.m., Stove, Fireplaces Deck attached to dwelling 2 - 3 days Detached Garage Addition to Dwelling 4 - 5 days Attached Garage Subdivision Dwelling 5 - 8 days Agricultural Building 8 - 10 days Custom Built Dwelling 10 - 15 days Industrial, Commercial, 15 - 20 days Institutional Buildings I Date of application and date of issuance combined are considered as one (1) day. REPORT NO.: PD -63 -94 PAGE 3 2.4 The target dates represent the level of service that can be provided by Municipal Staff. Built into the target dates are several procedural changes that would expedite the process. For example, lot grading plan, construction drawings, review and planning clearances will now be carried out concurrently. 2.5 It should be noted that the target dates are intended for standard permit application and are achievable provided the following prerequisites are met. a) The application is complete with all proper drawings, information and fee. b) There is no revision to drawing resulted from non- compliance with Municipal and other Agency's requirements, Building /Plumbing /Fire Codes, Zoning Compliance etc. C) Clearances or approvals from applicable external agencies such as M.T.O., Conservation Authority, Durham Region, Ministry of Labour are received within the target dates. d) All applicable planning approvals have been granted. 2.6 Staff have commenced implementation of the target dates as of September 1, 1993 and have monitored every permit application since. The results of our monitoring between September 1, 1993 and March 31, 1994 as follows. ...4 J40 REPORT NO.: PD -63 -94 PAGE 4 2.7 Of all the applications that are straight- forward and have none of the potential problems as identified in paragraph 2. 5, Staff were able to meet the target date for 88% of these permit applications. 2.8 It is of interest to note that 59.4% of all permit applications have experienced certain delay due to problems beyond the Municipal Staff's control. Many times, these applications were submitted prior to the applicant obtaining all necessary approvals from the appropriate government agencies. 2.9 Staff will continue to monitor the building permit application turnaround time and will report to Council on a regular basis. ....5 NO. OF PERMITS IT3ARGET TOTAL 628 100% Met Target Date 224 35.7% Over Target Date 31 4.9% Over target date due to reasons beyond Staff control a) Pending applicant to meet conditions of Subdivision Agreement 173 27.6% b) Held at applicant's request 85 13.5% C) Building Code deficiencies 47 7.5% d) Lot grading plan deficiencies 26 4.0% e) Zoning By -law Amendment not yet in effect 19 3.0% f) External agencies requirements not met 11 1.8% g) Land severance decision not yet final 8 1.3% h) Pending site plan agreement execution 4 0.7% 2.7 Of all the applications that are straight- forward and have none of the potential problems as identified in paragraph 2. 5, Staff were able to meet the target date for 88% of these permit applications. 2.8 It is of interest to note that 59.4% of all permit applications have experienced certain delay due to problems beyond the Municipal Staff's control. Many times, these applications were submitted prior to the applicant obtaining all necessary approvals from the appropriate government agencies. 2.9 Staff will continue to monitor the building permit application turnaround time and will report to Council on a regular basis. ....5 REPORT NO.: PD-63-94 PAGE 5 Respectfully submitted, Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P. Director of Planning and Development FW*cc 27 May 1994 Reviewed by, W.H. Stockwell I Chief Administrative Officer