Tag Archives: Development Services Department
Audit finds ongoing delays, data problems for Development Services Department
The Office of the City Auditor has found that the city’s Development Services Department is still failing to meet on-time and customer satisfaction goals in its permitting process, even after making changes suggested in a 2015 report that found profound…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 16, 2019
City releases road map for 'agent of change,' sound compatibility issues
The city’s Economic Development and Development Services departments will spend much of the next 12 months implementing a variety of measures to reduce noise complaints and other issues that arise between residents and nearby entertainment businesses. On Wednesday, EDD released…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 6, 2019
Audit says employee misused city computer
Investigators in the Office of the City Auditor have released a report showing that a staff member in the Development Services Department used his city computer to operate his personal online business. Auditors released a report Monday stating they had…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Apr 9, 2019
City proposes new demolition rules
In response to an audit last year that identified a number of problems in the city’s demolition permitting process, the Development Services Department has recommended a number of changes aimed at streamlining the process and ensuring safety. The recommendations were…
The Code • By Jack Craver • Jan 11, 2019
BoA fee adjustments cause high tempers
On Oct. 1 of this year, the Development Services Department enacted a new set of fees for those looking to come before the Board of Adjustment to have the board hear their applications for a code variance. Although increases are…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 10, 2018
Many, but not all, development fees to climb
Last year, Rodney Gonzales, director of Austin’s Development Services Department, asked Council to fund an additional 50 employees to increase his department’s efficiency in dealing with a multitude of permits, reviews and inspections. Council killed the plan by postponing it.…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Sep 18, 2018
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Development Services preliminary budget asks for 50 new employees
According to the 2017 customer satisfaction poll by the Development Services Department, the time it takes to complete the inspection process was ranked as the most important component but had the lowest satisfaction rating. In an effort to change that…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 7, 2018
Despite progress, builders complain of long waits for permits
Among the many factors blamed for Austin’s affordability crisis are the city’s notoriously complicated development regulations. The development review process is so cumbersome, critics say, that builders have to hire agents to get their permits approved, creating a cost that…
Development • By Jack Craver • Aug 21, 2018
Reporter's Notebook: Communication
They don’t want to talk to you… Staff from the Development Services Department repeatedly told members of the Zoning and Platting Commission at their Tuesday meeting that they were legally obligated to approve a site plan for the controversial Champion…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Jul 23, 2018
City proposes ways to reduce permitting costs for homeowners
In November of last year, City Council approved a resolution aimed at making it easier and cheaper for homeowners to repair or renovate their houses. The resolution asked the Development Services Department to consider setting up a separate, simpler permitting…
Housing • By Jack Craver • Apr 10, 2018
Austin could change the way it issues demolition permits
As the number of demolitions soars in Austin, the city is considering changing the way it issues permits to make sure teardowns are done safely and people affected are properly notified. Since 2010, the number of demolition permits issued in…
Planning • By Syeda Hasan • Mar 7, 2018
City to lease Ben White space for DSD, AE
Last week, City Council authorized negotiation and execution of a seven-year lease for a little less than 60,000 square feet at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd. The building will house about 100 employees from Austin Energy and 93 employees from…
