The memo to Mayor Watson highlighted that during the first phase of improvements, initial site plan review times dropped by 56%, from 87-99 days to an average of just 32 days. This significant reduction showcases the effectiveness of the collaboration with McKinsey & Company in addressing systemic delays in the city's permitting process. Furthermore, follow-up review cycles saw a remarkable decrease from an average of 50 days down to nearly 15 days, edging closer to the city's 14-day target, which marks a major shift in operational efficiency.
Backlogs that previously hampered critical review stages have been largely eliminated across various departments, resulting in nearly perfect on-time evaluation rates for projects like SMART Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing. This turnaround reflects not only improved efficiency but also a shift toward better applicant experiences with feedback showing a majority of positive interactions—an impressive change from the formerly abysmal satisfaction rates which hovered in the low single digits.
Despite the strides made, challenges still linger, particularly around technological infrastructure. The AMANDA permitting system remains outdated and continues to cripple workflow efficiencies, representing a significant bottleneck. The city is aiming to address this with a transition to new systems and the integration of AI tools, which promises to further streamline the review process, ensuring that the momentum gained through the initial phases of improvement does not stall.
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