Dallas Development Services appears to have overcome its bad reputation for issuing building permits in a slow and inefficient manner that costs builders and chokes the city's housing supply. This is just in time for state laws that require even faster action.
Members of the council's Government Performance and Financial Management Committee and Select Committee on Legislative Affairs held a joint meeting Wednesday to discuss permitting issues outlined in House Bill 14, which goes into effect Friday.
House Bill 14 pertains to “third-party review of sites and real estate development plans, permits, and similar documents, and inspection of improvements related to such documents.”
City Councilman Chad West, who chairs the Government Performance and Fiscal Management Committee, said this appears to be a coercive attempt by the state to push permits faster.
“That's a goal we've already achieved,” West said during Wednesday's committee meeting. “Correct me if I'm wrong, but it will still solve the problem faster than using this mechanism provided by the state.”
dallas development services
Although complex, this law essentially ensures that applicants can resolve permits in a timely manner, even if they must bring in their own third-party examiners for inspections.
Development Services Director Andrew Espinoza said the department has five days to conduct a preliminary review of the permit and ensure the application is complete. The Ministry has set a performance goal of approving, denying or conditionally approving permits on the 10th day for residential projects and on the 15th day for commercial projects after receiving payment.
Current law allows cities to use third-party reviewers to approve plans, plans, and development permits if the city does not meet the 15-day performance goals specified in the code. However, under House Bill 14, applicants can hire city government employees. own critic.
The bill also allows applicants to appeal to City Council if a permit is denied or approved with conditions.
“The Texas Municipal Code requires 45 days plus 15 days from the time we receive the completed application,” Espinoza said. “The local government must comply with that 45-day period. With this additional 15-day time clock, the local government must approve, conditionally approve, or deny the permit within his 60 days.” .”
Since the Dallas Development Services permit backlog was cleared late last year and the Rapid Single Family VIP program was implemented, permits are frequently and quickly revoked, but the new law could be beneficial to high-volume producers. says David, director of government affairs for the Dallas Builders Association. Wrede told CandysDirt.com.
“Things like this are always an ongoing effort,” he said.
Espinoza explained that the new requirements will need to be codified in the city's building code.
“Development Services is going to work closely with the City Attorney’s Office to make sure we get this right,” he said.
Wrede said Espinoza points the department in the right direction and frequently works with the building community to determine ways to improve.
West noted that he's hearing from builders about applications being kicked back and forth, lengthening timelines.
“They end up in this limbo situation,” he says. “It goes on for weeks and weeks.”
Espinoza said these issues can be addressed through education and improved internal checklists.
Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins said House Bill 14 has a “huge problem” because of its ambiguity.
“Right now, it's required by law, and we don't know what the outcome will be,” he said. “If there is a third party, [reviewer], what is our responsibility? ”
Builder reaction
Wrede told CandysDirt.com that the bill essentially streamlines the approval process.
“It allows cities and counties that have not completed plating or code inspections by the legal deadline to have a third-party review done,” he said. “This will help us because delays in the development process not only increase the cost of building homes and what Dallas families and Texas families can afford, but can also negatively impact the local economy. must.”
It will also provide relief to stranded cities, he said. The Dallas Construction Association covers his 10 counties.
“In our view, this will help address housing affordability,” Wrede said.
Councilman Jesse Moreno said most local builders are good partners with the city and want to abide by the rules.
“They just want to know upfront what the rules are and don't want them to change mid-project.”
Even if a permit is denied, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit a compliant plan, regardless of deadlines or whether a third-party reviewer is hired, Espinoza explained.
Assistant City Manager Majid Al Ghafri assured committee members that officials are ready to implement the provisions set out in House Bill No. 14.
“We will be ready for Friday,” Al-Ghafri said. “New permits submitted on that schedule will be met on that schedule. For permits that have been delayed in the past, we need to catch up with them and figure out where they are.”
