The County’s development process is one step closer to undergoing comprehensive systematic and customer service improvements, as the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to support the direction and goals of the process.
The plan includes improving the timeliness of review, ensuring a predictable and consistent process, and a concerted focus on providing outstanding customer service.
“Simply put, we want Sacramento County to be the best place to build in the region for all of our customers. We’re grateful for the Board’s feedback about the Development Review Process improvements and for its support in implementing changes that will make the process more efficient and easier to navigate. These changes will help us to meet our goals of attracting, planning and fostering housing production and other beneficial uses in existing and new communities, and serving our customers even better than before.”
Dave Defanti, Deputy County Executive, Community Services
Goals include an increase in affordable housing units, helping achieve state and local goals and regulations to address climate change and air quality, providing for unparalleled environmental protection and encouraging public participation.
Defanti provided the Board with an update on improvements recently implemented/positive outcomes:
- Focus on building a collaborative, positive culture and supporting staff
- Sacramento County earning the state’s Pro-Housing Designation, a recognition of its commitment to policies that increase housing supply
- The formation of an Industry Working Group with representatives from the building industry that will vet new process improvements moving forward
- Addition of two Development Process Managers, who will facilitate key projects through the County’s processes
- Training and review of the Accela Government Software system—the system of record for the development process—to review what’s working and what can be improved
- Providing customers with easy-to-follow manuals for how to do business with the County, including when and how to seek permits for construction activity
Additional improvements in the coming months will lead to processes that:
- Are timely, efficient, and carried out in a manner that recognizes “time is money” for our customers
- Reduce complexity and eliminate superfluous requirements
- Are consistent with industry best practices and comparable agencies’ processes viewed by customers as exemplary
- Include customers in problem-solving and decision-making
- Ensure the level of detail requested is appropriate for any stage of development
- Offer clear timelines and transparency for customers regarding the status of their permit or application
- Provide routine opportunities to solicit and receive customer feedback
- Empower staff to be innovative and creative to help solve problems and facilitate desirable development
“Sacramento County is facing an unprecedented housing supply and affordability crisis, and we believe these improvements will positively affect new housing production to address these crises,” said Defanti. “This is an exciting time for the County, and we look forward to updating County residents and the Board about our progress to affect real change.”
