Denver Mayor Mike Johnston signed the first executive order of his administration Monday. (Matt Geiger/BusinessDen)
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is bringing a “shot clock” and “homeroom teachers” to the city’s permitting process.
Johnston signed the first executive order of his administration Monday, bringing 280 city employees together into one “Denver permitting office” and pledging to review all applications within 180 days.
“What that means is if you are submitting for a site development plan and or permits, when you submit that proposal — if it’s a complete proposal — we will start a shot clock that says we will guarantee to you within 180 days that project will be completed and will be permitted,” Johnston said at a news conference Monday.
That applies only to the city’s review time, though. Some permits go through multiple rounds of reviews and submissions, so the time the developer spends correcting or amending plans doesn’t count toward that 180-day window.
Each submission will be assigned to a specific department employee who will guide applicants through the process. Johnston, a former high school principal, said they’ll act like homeroom teachers.
“It is the one person your parent can call anytime and get all the information that you need. This is the one city employee you can reach out to get all of those questions answered,” he said.
If permit reviews are not completed by the 180-day mark, applicants can appeal to the department’s executive committee. If that group can’t make a decision or advance the permit within 30 days of meeting, then the city will refund the developer up to $10,000 in permitting fees.
The focus will also be on improving customer service. An in-person permit counter will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and all questions and concerns from applicants are expected to be answered within two business days, the mayor added.
“We hear anecdotally all the time, there’s nothing that drives up the cost of the project more than taking three years to get it done,” Johnston said.
Jill Jennings Golich
Jill Jennings Golich, Denver’s deputy executive director of community planning and development, will run the new department. She told BusinessDen she’s looking at making changes to the concept and site development plan process down the road.
“Whether you’re building a new 14-story building or you need to add on a room to support a family member who needs to move in, we are here to support you and collaborate,” Golich said.
The announcement was made in front of the future Urban Egg eatery at 1555 Wewatta St., across the street from Union Station. The business plans to open in July and has been a guinea pig for the new permitting program.
“The process was more than challenging. And like ridiculously time-consuming and inefficient,” Urban Egg founder Randy Price said of opening a location in Cherry Creek in 2020.
“This has been an unbelievable experience for transforming the process of permitting and getting us moving quickly.”
Urban Egg founder Randy Price speaks at Monday’s announcement. (Matt Geiger/BusinessDen)
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston signed the first executive order of his administration Monday. (Matt Geiger/BusinessDen)
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is bringing a “shot clock” and “homeroom teachers” to the city’s permitting process.
Johnston signed the first executive order of his administration Monday, bringing 280 city employees together into one “Denver permitting office” and pledging to review all applications within 180 days.
“What that means is if you are submitting for a site development plan and or permits, when you submit that proposal — if it’s a complete proposal — we will start a shot clock that says we will guarantee to you within 180 days that project will be completed and will be permitted,” Johnston said at a news conference Monday.
That applies only to the city’s review time, though. Some permits go through multiple rounds of reviews and submissions, so the time the developer spends correcting or amending plans doesn’t count toward that 180-day window.
Each submission will be assigned to a specific department employee who will guide applicants through the process. Johnston, a former high school principal, said they’ll act like homeroom teachers.
“It is the one person your parent can call anytime and get all the information that you need. This is the one city employee you can reach out to get all of those questions answered,” he said.
If permit reviews are not completed by the 180-day mark, applicants can appeal to the department’s executive committee. If that group can’t make a decision or advance the permit within 30 days of meeting, then the city will refund the developer up to $10,000 in permitting fees.
The focus will also be on improving customer service. An in-person permit counter will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and all questions and concerns from applicants are expected to be answered within two business days, the mayor added.
“We hear anecdotally all the time, there’s nothing that drives up the cost of the project more than taking three years to get it done,” Johnston said.
Jill Jennings Golich
Jill Jennings Golich, Denver’s deputy executive director of community planning and development, will run the new department. She told BusinessDen she’s looking at making changes to the concept and site development plan process down the road.
“Whether you’re building a new 14-story building or you need to add on a room to support a family member who needs to move in, we are here to support you and collaborate,” Golich said.
The announcement was made in front of the future Urban Egg eatery at 1555 Wewatta St., across the street from Union Station. The business plans to open in July and has been a guinea pig for the new permitting program.
“The process was more than challenging. And like ridiculously time-consuming and inefficient,” Urban Egg founder Randy Price said of opening a location in Cherry Creek in 2020.
“This has been an unbelievable experience for transforming the process of permitting and getting us moving quickly.”
Urban Egg founder Randy Price speaks at Monday’s announcement. (Matt Geiger/BusinessDen)
