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Issues Summary <br /> Key Streamlining <br /> STREAMLINE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW Recommendations: <br /> Based on our experience, review processes need to be customer-friendly by being <br /> efficient and certain. In addition, the new UDO needs to provide permit tools that allow e Establish New Common <br /> for Flexibility in appropriate circumstances. Pro cedures <br /> We recommend the new UDO be supplemented with new provisions to simplify and Clarify Review Responsibilities <br /> standardize the review process through new common procedures that are the same for <br /> every application for development permit We also suggest the town modify several of the <br /> current review procedures and add more mechanisms for flexibility through new * Refine Certain Development <br /> processes like administrative adjustments and development agreements. In addition, Review Procedures <br /> review responsibilities need to be clarified, and we recommend the Technical Review <br /> Committee be formalized and given more decision-making authority. Finally, we suggest . Remove Various Amortization <br /> the code be stripped of outdated provisions like amortization provisions that have long Provisions <br /> since expired. The following sections will provide more detail on these suggestions. <br /> ESTABLISH NEW COMMON PROCEDURES <br /> Criteria for <br /> As discussed earlier, the procedures for the review of development applications are <br /> scattered throughout the current zoning ordinance. We suggest the new administration Determination of <br /> article (Article 2,Administration) include a set of common procedures that address review Completeness <br /> requirements relevant to all applications for development permits. This section also <br /> establishes the rules that take the development applicant from the beginning of the • Application form <br /> development review process, to the end. The types of procedural requirements included comp lete <br /> in this common procedures section address: <br /> • Who has authority to submit applications, <br /> • Pre-application conferences, • Fee included <br /> • Application fees and schedule, <br /> • Rules governing preparation of the staff report, • Minimum number of <br /> • Public notification and public hearing requirements, copies provided <br /> • Deferral and withdrawal of applications, <br /> • Basic procedures to follow during public hearings, • Submitted within <br /> • Review and approval(including the imposition of conditions on approval), review schedule <br /> • Notification of the applicant regarding the decision,and timeframe <br /> • Lapse of approval <br /> Establish a Pre-Application Conference Procedure • Ownership <br /> According to some stakeholders, one key reason why the development review process in information complete <br /> Hillsborough is not efficient is because applicants do not understand procedural or substantive . All required <br /> review requirements, or are unaware of other related issues about application submission. Our preliminary steps <br /> experience is that requiring a pre-application meeting between a potential applicant and staff, completed <br /> especially for a more complex development proposal, is an effective way to expedite the <br /> development review process. Encouraging potential applicants to meet informally with staff to <br /> present conceptual plans for development and get staff input prior to submittal of an application • All necessary <br /> helps address issues and procedural requirements before significant time and expense are invested supporting <br /> in preparing or processing applications. information provided <br /> (including maps,site <br /> We recommend the common procedures section of the new UDO establish a standard drawings, and <br /> requirement for a pre-application conference between the applicant and staff. anal ses) <br /> Include a Completeness Determination Procedure Attestation of <br /> It is recommended the new UDO include a subsection authorizing the Planning Director (or a correctness by <br /> designee) to review submitted applications to determine whether they are "complete." Only applicant <br /> "complete" applications should be formally accepted for review and action by the town. The <br /> provision would be applicable to all development applications and would state that the processing <br /> Hillsborough,North Carolina <br /> Unified Development Ordinance I Draft Annotated Outline Page 7 <br /> November,2009 <br />