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Written by Stephanie Currier

Category: Development Services

Created: 10 March 2015

Have you used our Online Development Center? If so, tell us what you think of it!

It is not new - in fact, the Online Development Center (ODC) has been around since 2006. And with all of its features, it is no wonder why the ODC has become one of the best resources for our customers.

Most contractors like using the ODC because it enables them to manage their active permits and inspections online. Once an account has been established and Terms of Use have been accepted, contractors can log in and purchase e-permits, schedule inspections, pay re-inspection fees, and view inspection records. It is important to note that e-permits can only be issued for minor electrical, plumbing or mechanical alterations or repairs. The ODC is intended for stand-alone permit types, so any project requiring a building permit or a complete permit package will need to be submitted to the DSCSC for a detailed review.

If you are not a licensed contractor, you do not need to establish an account to use the ODC. Customers can get information about development plans and public improvement projects, view and print Certificates of Occupancy, search the permit history of an address, and read plan-review comments before a review cycle is complete.

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Written by Stephanie Currier

Category: Development Services

Created: 03 March 2015

I have spent the past fifteen years working in Planning and Inspections offices in various parts of North Carolina. One thing seems to be true no matter where I go – no two development projects are the same. They can be complex. And in many cases, project timelines allow very little room for delays.

We certainly understand this. And as discussed in last week’s post, meeting or exceeding our established benchmarks for standard plan review is important to us. But we know that many of our customers prefer to have face-to-face meetings so that issues can be ironed out quickly and efficiently.

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Written by Stephanie Currier

Category: Development Services

Created: 24 February 2015

It has been a crazy week around here, with the snow and ice and sub-zero wind chills. But while the white stuff was falling and the winds were howling, we were working to finalize our most recent Quarterly Performance Report which is now available online. You can also view reports from previous quarters and a graph illustrating how many permits have been issued by month and year.

When developing the performance reports, we use benchmarks to measure how well we are doing. The benchmarks were established several years ago, but for those not familiar, here is a little background.

The City’s Development Management Team (DMT) partnered with an external stakeholder group called the Development Services Advisory Committee (DSAC) to establish target benchmarks and review administrative policies and procedures to ensure consistent compliance with the City's development standards. DSAC members represent different fields within the land development industry. Their mission is to ensure that development reviews are done in measurable, predictable, transparent, cost-effective, seamless and efficient ways that provide the level of service that customers define.

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Written by Stephanie Currier

Category: Development Services

Created: 16 February 2015

For those that have not already heard the news, I am pleased to announce that Bradley Kimbrell has been selected as the new Development Services Customer Service Center Manager. Bradley has been with the City’s Public Works department for two years and is eager to complete the transition into his new role.

Knowing that I was going to blog about this, and having previously held that position myself, I wanted to sit down with Bradley to congratulate him, share some words of wisdom, and learn more about him. During our conversation, he shared that he and his wife, Lindsay, have a beautiful one-year-old daughter, Lily June. I also learned that Bradley is a licensed Engineer, a huge NC State fan and an Eagle Scout.

Here is a little more about Bradley...

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Written by Stephanie Currier

Category: Development Services

Created: 10 February 2015

Welcome back to DSinsider! Many of you may recall the early days of the DSCSC when the Project Coordination service was in its infancy. The service was added in 2010 and was modeled after similar programs in other jurisdictions. The idea is for the development team of large-scale projects to work with the City’s Project Coordinators (PC’s) to reduce potential roadblocks and keep the project timeline intact. It got off to a slow start, but quickly gained momentum. A high demand for the service resulted in the addition of a third PC position in 2013.

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Written by Stephanie Currier

Category: Development Services

Created: 03 February 2015

Hello! Welcome to “DSinsider.” This brand new, interactive blog will become your go-to source for all that is happening in Raleigh’s Development Services Department. We hope this will be an effective way to connect with our customers about all development-related topics.

The purpose of this blog is to establish a forum for open dialogue with our customers. Having open channels of communication provides opportunities for discussion of topics that are important to you.  DSinsider will give you an inside look at our services and explain changes to policy and procedure.  It will also provide updates when our forms are edited, process enhancements are made, or data and benchmark reports are available. I know these topics can be a little mundane, so be on the lookout for the occasional feel-good post to keep things interesting.

So who is the DS Insider? Well that would be me, Stephanie Currier. I first got into the field of Planning when I was in college and couldn’t decide on a major. I came across a sign on campus that got my attention. “Can’t decide on a major? Want to help people and make a difference in your community?” Yes, yes, and YES! I went to the meeting for aspiring Planners and was hooked. After graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning, I went on to work in a variety of positions including Planner and Assistant Director of Planning & Inspections. Most recently, I served as Raleigh’s Development Services Customer Service Center Manager.

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