As technology changes and becomes a more vital role in the daily lives of residents, Planning Director Christy Langley is adapting her department to be cutting edge.
Langley said a new permit management database is an overhaul to how people interact with the planning department.
“People can apply and pay online and check on it,” she said. “We realize the world has changed on how they know use technology.”
Langley said the database will go live at the end of June.
“People can still come in. We’ll have work stations and staff will be happy to assist them,” she said.
The overhaul will provide more efficiency for the planning staff and consumer.
“It assists us in the field. Inspectors can access the system in the field. Now everything is going to be in real time,” Langley said. “No longer input by hand. With automatic field population takes out a lot of human error.”
The planning department also is working on a scanning initiative. Langley said 470 file boxes from 1974 on are housed in the basement of City Hall. The files have been scanned and saved by permit number, subdivision and lot number.
“They are all completely digital now,” Langley said. “When a person comes in asking about their house that was built in 1978, we don’t have to go to the basement and pull it.”
Langley said the files will be available to other departments like engineering and economic development.
“We’re excited about that because it adds a new efficiency component,” she said. “The city is more versatile.”
Another file going online is the Unified Development Ordinance, where the public can access all PDFs.
“There are 17 articles and it is very difficult to search. It’s kind of confusing. The city code is in there with intelligent search for words and phrases,” Langley said. “A static PDF is very difficult to navigate period. This is more friendly and searchable.”
The planning department also intends to create info graphics with nuts and bolts of common procedures in March and April.
