Transforming Site Plan Review
In early 2023, the City of Austin commissioned an independent assessment of the site plan review process. (A site plan is a detailed drawing of proposed improvements and construction on a lot. During the site plan review process, reviewers ensure all site development standards are met.) This assessment resulted in 45 recommended initiatives that will improve overall customer experience and efficiency, and positively impact the development process. Cross-departmental teams have been set up under the leadership of the Transformation Management Team and are actively working on all initiatives.
This webpage serves as the hub for any information about this transformation, including descriptions of each initiative, contact information, timelines, and progress. We will also provide updates by email, so make sure to subscribe to our email list.
The initial review process was completed by an independent consultant who conducted surveys, workshops, and interviews with staff and customers, mapped processes, inventoried technologies, and identified potential points of improvement in interpreting the Land Development Code.
150+ Staff Members Interviewed |
178 Customers Interviewed |
1,470 Steps Analyzed |
45 Initiatives Identified |
Initiatives
This chart shows the high-level status of all 45 initiatives within the project. In Progress reflects initiatives currently underway, Closed reflects initiative that are not complete but are no longer being worked on, Completed reflects initatives that are implemented. For more information on each initiative, see the next section on this page.
- In Progress13
- Closed4
- Completed28
Critical Enablers
Initiatives that enable all other Quality of Experience and Speed of the Process initiatives.
Quality of Experience
Initiatives that will enhance the experience of staff and applicants.
Speed of the Process
Initiatives that help facilitate faster process times.
Improvement Initiatives
The assessment identified a series of initiatives to improve overall customer experience and reduce the length of the site plan review process. Cross-departmental teams are currently working on these initiatives. We are seeing that this transformation is already taking effect and improving experiences with the site plan process. These improvements will continue, with the completion of more initiatives in the coming months and a focus on long-term continuous improvement. Click on each initiative name to learn more.
| ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Contractors/ temps for site plan reviews | Completed |
| 14 | Standardize site plan formal review activities | In Progress |
| 15 | Formalize pre-submission meetings | Completed |
| 21 | Formalize post first review cycle meetings | Completed |
| 29 | Scheduling (office hours/rotating customer meetings days) | In Progress |
| 30 | Provide rolling draft comments to applicant | Completed |
| 31 | Applicant ability to self-certify (w/potential fee) | Closed |
| 34 | Enhance application wizard (questionnaire) that is linked and a part of the site plan application process | Closed |
| 35 | Automate required documents at submission | In Progress |
| 36 | Digitize signature process | Completed |
| 37 | Automate/ integrate application entry to system of record | In Progress |
| 38 | CRM system to auto capture communications | In Progress |
| 40 | AI digitized completeness check | In Progress |
| 41 | AI digitized formal review | In Progress |
