Productive relationships between municipalities and the development community foster compact growth.  Municipalities should adopt best practices that can make permitting more predictable, equitable, cost effective, and efficient.  

Inefficient permitting and approval processes can discourage compact growth.  Developers who face a long, costly, and uncertain permitting process are likely to shift their resources and efforts to other locations, regions, or states.  This is especially problematic if inefficient permitting in appropriate locations causes developers to choose alternate locations that are inconsistent with the MetroFuture land use plan.  Even in municipalities with relatively efficient permitting, special permit requirements for many developments may add to uncertainty and discourage developers from pursing good projects.  

Application of streamlined permitting processes does not require municipalities to lower their standards or feel pressured to approve bad proposals. Applied appropriately, permit streamlining best practices should reinforce local jurisdiction, encourage community supported projects, preserve local resources, and maintain the standard of review.  

Municipalities should also establish an intermediate “as of plan” review that is somewhere between current practice for special permits and as-of-right development.  Such a review might be appropriate in designated growth areas and could include design review, inclusionary zoning, and a limited public review process.  It would not, however, include review of plan elements that conform to the requirements of an approved plan; for example, parking requirements, setbacks, or heights would not be subject to special review if they conform to the criteria established in the plan. 

8.a    Municipalities should adopt the permitting recommendations outlined in the “Best Practices Guide for Streamlined Local Permitting”

8.b    MAPC should develop a framework for a streamlined “as of plan” review within the special permit process

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