By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Oct. 13, 2012
It looked like a secret military strategy with mysterious code names and numbers.
But the terrifying grid of information that adorned the council chamber walls a few weeks ago had a much more benign purpose.
It was the district’s land development application.
Those who see it will have new respect for developers.
It was unveiled by the district staff at the first meeting of the Business Processing Standing Committee chaired by Ron Sander.
The committee, which finally met on Oct. 10 at the council chamber, watched how obfuscating a seemingly simple process can be.
Thankfully, they also heard staff plans to revise the application process.
Submitting a land development application at this time is a snakes and ladders game.
Developers have to fill in four different applications, the district requirements are never made clear at the outset.
Then there are four checklists, for the clerk, for planning staff, engineering, etc.
Problems at one department could mean a loop back to the other. Applications could trigger unexpected processes, service agreements etc.
“It’s like putting one bandage over the other bandage and then more bandage over that,” said district staff, Yasmin Jodrey.
The district is working on a more permanent cure for the malaise.
The new process will have condensed guides, checklists and application form.
There won’t be any loop backs, and developers will be made aware of all requirements at the enquiry stage.
The revised process takes a six-step approach:
1, Enquiry
2, Feasibility study
3, Application review
4. Council chamber
5. Issuance of permit
“We are making it clearer and easier for developers,” district staff, Jodrey said.
The revised process could kick in by late November.
The council also debated whether, and at what stage, a developer should be allowed to appear before the council.
It’s no secret that some applications passed by the planning staff with full colours have been turned away by the council.
Coun. Ted Prior said the process would benefit from allowing a developer to come before the council.
CAO Corien Speaker said developers have approached the district asking to speak to the council on their application.
Coun. Ron Sander, Coun. Doug Race, and Mayor Rob Kirkham were reluctant to endorse the idea.
“I don’t want any developer to come to the council, and think of it as a process,” Coun. Sander said.
Mayor Kirkham said an appearance before council might be allowed if there is an extraordinary issue.
The district is also working to clear its business licence backlog.
Time for business permit applications has also been reduced.
Elliot says
Curious’ you show only 5 steps in the 6 step approach. Would the sixth step be entitled “Potential indefinite time delay (add interest costs) and additional report requirements to bring developers to their knees”. Unless they or their investors are in the inner circle of course. Just one example, but I have and always will, take offence to the way the Paradise Trails application was handled from a professional perspective. I do not know if there was a personality issue with this developer but the long delay was obviously a tactic that may have killed viability of his project at the expense of what could’ve sooner been jobs and a resurgence of equestrian industry in Squamish!
Bravo to this Council for addressing process issues head on. Please be sure to eliminate the potential of this sixth step from occurring again at the discretion of one manager. Time is money and must not be allowed to be used for leverage!