As part of the County’s Development Review Process Improvements Initiative to streamline development services and provide outstanding customer service, Sacramento County is launching an innovative element to the mix: Development Program Managers (DPMs).
Rick Balazs and Chelsea Bowman are set to play a pivotal role in expediting projects aimed at enhancing the vitality of the county, in alignment with the Board of Supervisors’ mission of creating livable communities. Additional DPMs will be hired in the future as we grow this program.
What is a DPM’s Role?
DPMs serve as the County’s single point of contact for projects that promise substantial benefits and value to the community. They are facilitators who will proactively guide projects and customers through the complex development process. They are the linchpin in ensuring projects meet all necessary standards and regulations.
What are the DPMs Responsibilities?
Throughout the course of the project, DPMs will, as appropriate:
- Help to identify and establish project goals, milestones, critical paths, and priorities
- Convene meetings with subject-matter experts and design professionals to solve project issues
- Assist with Pre-Application meeting facilitation
- Prepare preliminary permit fee and impact fee estimates upon request
- Facilitate meetings to assist customers with resolving Conditions of Approval for their project
- Collect feedback regarding the Development Review Process from internal and external stakeholders and, if appropriate, implement
- Prepare post-project evaluations for select projects to highlight elements of the development process that went well and reveal opportunities for improvement
- Assist the Deputy County Executive for Community Services and Department Directors with key Development Review Process improvement initiatives.
How does a project receive DPM assistance?
Development projects that meet certain eligibility criteria, as described below, may qualify to automatically be assigned to a DPM. No additional applications or request letters are necessary. The Community Development Services team will monitor incoming projects and review them for DPM eligibility.
Assignment of a DPM to a project could occur at any stage of the development process, from the pre-entitlement phase through construction and Certificate of Occupancy.
Eligibility Criteria:
Residential Projects
Residential projects must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible for DPM assignment during Phase I:
1. Stay Safe Community or other similar housing development directly aimed at addressing homelessness.
2. Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing: The majority of the project units have been deed-restricted to remain affordable to low-income households (80% area median income (AMI) or lower) for a minimum of thirty (30) years; and the project has received a form of public assistance from the County of Sacramento, State of California, Federal Government, Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency, or other similar funding source.
3. Discretionary Eligibility: Other qualifying housing projects determined to be eligible by the Deputy County Executive for Community Services and/or the Community Development Director, in their discretion.
Commercial Projects
Commercial projects must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible for DPM assignment during Phase I:
1. Project Valuation: The project will result in a capital investment of at least $25 million, including land, buildings, infrastructure (on-site and off-site), and equipment.
2. Job Creation: The project will create at least 250 new, permanent, full-time jobs within Sacramento County.
3. Hospitality Services: The project will provide lodging and other hospitality services to a presently underserved area of the County, and will generate Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds.
4. Discretionary Eligibility: Other qualifying commercial or manufacturing projects determined to be eligible by the Deputy County Executive for Community Services and/or the Community Development Director, in their discretion.
With these values and responsibilities in mind, Sacramento County aims to accelerate the development of projects that contribute to the community’s livability, creating a more prosperous and vibrant environment for its residents. Our goal is to make Sacramento County the best place to do business in the region!
