by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
A streamlined permitting process has been a Jacksonville priority since the mayor’s transition team heard repeated requests to strip away redundant reviews and overlapping fees. Now, State legislators think the City may uncover improvements that could work statewide.
Rep. Stan Jordan said Jacksonville is not alone in its search for more efficient permitting. He said conversations with other legislators indicate improvements may be needed at the State level as well.
“I knew there was a substantial amount of interest in this, but I’d have to say we underestimated the level of interest; we’ve had people from other cities and counties asking questions of our office,” said Jordan. “Even though we’re from different counties, we’re more alike than we are different, and if we determine that some statutory change is needed, obviously that could have an impact across the state.”
The rest of the state could also serve as a model for improving the local process, said Jordan. He said he knew of a local contractor who permitted a Santa Rosa County project in a single afternoon.
“He walked out with his permit in a matter of hours,” said Jordan. “He said he couldn’t do the same thing in Duval County even with a similar project, and the obvious question is: ‘Why?’ ”
Statewide interest in the City’s attempt at a permitting fix makes sense, Jordan said, because a streamlined permitting process speeds up development, increasing the local and state tax base.
Jordan said his interest in the process was primarily driven by his constituents. However, he said permitting hang-ups in his attempt to develop a North Main Street lot had given him first–hand experience navigating the permitting maze.
“Just the time involved to get a permit back, you’d think I was building the Hoover Dam,” said Jordan.
All but one of Mayor John Peyton’s 14 transition team subcommittees targeted the process for change. Redundant review procedures and fines were the most frequently cited areas of concern.
After receiving those recommendations, the mayor put Quality Improvement Officer John Becker in charge of a review committee charged with identifying problems and recommending changes. Becker split his team into four subcommittees led by Inspections Chief Tom Goldsbury, Comprehensive Planning Chief Michael Herzberg, Building Inspections Manager Jim Schock and engineer John Pappas.