Last April, the City launched its Permitting Improvement Project to decrease the time it takes to issue a permit by 50 percent by 2007.
Development opportunities in Atlanta are on an upswing, new residential permit applications have increased by 11 percent and new commercial applications have increased 95 percent in the past year. “With Atlanta’s population expected to double in the next 25 years it is critical we meet the demand,” says new BOB director, Ibrahim Maslamani.
The recent hire of four executive-level professionals in the Bureau of Buildings (BOB) and a new Public Information Officer for the Department of Planning and Community Development is a critical step in making the process of obtaining permits easier for homeowners and Atlanta’s development community. During the next 90 days, new BOB director Ibrahim Maslamani will focus on several strategies to reduce permitting time. Maslamani will implement a concurrent review process with the Zoning division; schedule standard pre-developments meetings; restore open business hours on Tuesdays, and separate complex projects requiring a review for land disturbance. Maslamani will also increase the BOB staff by 30 percent in 2006. To reach Ibrahim Maslamani, email him at imaslamani@atlantaga.gov.
In May, Anthony Carter assumed the helm as assistant director of the newly created Permitting Services division. Carter has assembled a “residential special projects team” comprised of intake, plan review and zoning specialists. This team will serve as a one-stop-shop, significantly decreasing wait times for residential permits. To reach Anthony Carter, email him at acarter@atlantaga.gov.
Technology is the first order of business for Raoul Newman, the new assistant director of Inspection Services. Newman has equipped all City inspectors with Nextel cell phones and is planning to install computers in each inspector vehicle for real-time results. With this new technology, inspectors will soon be able to print inspection results on the spot. To reach Raoul Newman, email him at rnewman@atlantaga.gov.
Ainsley Caldwell, the City’s new arboricultural manager, has created a “no trees impacted” exception that will speed up plan review for certain developments. Caldwell is working to get his entire department ISA-certified (International Society of Arboriculture) and he recently launched a public information campaign related to the City’s tree ordinance. To reach Ainsley Caldwell, email him at acaldwell@atlantaga.gov.
Joining the Department of Planning and Community Development as the Public Information Officer is Keisha Davis. In her new role, Davis will serve as the media liaison for the department; assist with the development and dissemination of public information and alert the public on permitting improvement project updates. To reach Keisha Davis, email her at khdavis@atlantaga.gov.
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