| Planning and Develpmt Services |
| |
| Mission Statement
|
| The Mission of the Planning and Development Services Department is to take the lead in ensuring a safe, quality living environment by actively planning for future development and growth and by enforcing the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Building Codes and other related codes. |
| |
| Trends, Issues, and Opportunities |
 | Building Issues: The downswing in the business cycle is continuing to impact construction levels. While permit levels are staying at relatively the same level as in FY 2002, the projects PDS is reviewing seem to be smaller and of less value. PDS does not see a major change in construction levels in the near future. |
| Annexation: Several years ago the City prepared a generalized phased annexation plan for the area of impact and a significant portion of the plan was annexed in 1999. As a result of the proliferation of single-family subdivisions in the southwest area and the extension of City sewer to serve them, much of the area between Overland and Victory roads appears to be ready for annexation. It is time for the City to explore another annexation program during calendar year 2003 or 2004 as directed by Council. |
| Planning Issues: The City's Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1997. Planning tradition dictates a major review and update of the plan every 5-6 years, so it is time to initiate that process. At the direction of the Council, the comprehensive planning staff has been meeting with a committee to explore a planning update of the Southwest area, and we need to expand that effort. |
| Property Management: The City’s rental housing program is often the housing provider of last resort. Many of the families/individuals served by this program are unable to obtain housing elsewhere due to credit, criminal history or prior negative rental history. Property management/maintenance staff must continually balance a family's/individual's need for decent, safe and affordable housing with the City’s need to cover operating costs and generate a modest return on investment. |
| Affordable Housing Services: As a result of the economic downturn and recent job losses in the community, an increasing number of loans are going into default and foreclosure. This generally requires the City to pay off those liens that are ahead of the affordable housing loan to preserve the City’s investment. This fund should be positioned to expect up to $500K in foreclosures on an annual basis for the foreseeable future. |
| Public Services: The City typically receives applications for 3-4 times the amount of funds that are available to allocate under the CDBG public services cap. Emphasis will continue to be placed on developing self-sufficiency (where possible) in these programs to improve their long-term viability and to allow emerging needs and/or new programs to be funded under the CDBG public services cap. |
| |
| Two-Year Budget Highlights |
| PDS is requesting funding for maintenance of city-owned railroad rights-of-way. The responsibility for managing this asset was delegated by the Mayor's Office to PDS in the spring of 2003. After examining the program, PDS staff determined that the City was not complying with its legal responsibility to maintain the rail lines in its control. The Department is requesting $25,000 so that PDS can contract with Northern Rail to monitor and maintain the rail line. |
| |
| Accomplishments |
| Planning: Prepared, coordinated and implemented a major amendment to the subdivision regulations that included a significant revision of the review process for Area of Impact subdivisions.
Achieved several significant zoning ordinance amendments including the establishment of development standards for substandard original lots of record; a major revamping of the conduct of hearing and appeals procedures; and an update of the floodplain ordinance to reflect the FEMA RE-Study of the Boise River Floodplain. |
| Economic Development: Sandhill Industries, a glass manufacturer, has relocated to Boise from Alaska as a result of active recruiting by economic development staff.
The market study, design for the sewer system, and design for the five lane road leading to I-84 interchange for the Gateway East Industrial Park have been completed. Property has been purchased adjacent to the city-owned rail to provide rail service into and out of the industrial park. Boise City has partnered with CCDC for the development of the master plan for the Gateway East Industrial Park.
Economic Development Staff is entering into the final stages of recruiting three new companies in the building materials manufacturing, food processing, and software development sectors. |
| Building: Boise City staff worked closely with other Idaho cities to pass legislation implementing the International Building Codes statewide. Contractors will now be able to build under the same code no matter where they are working in the State. Consumers can be assured that their new home will be energy efficient. Boise City adopted the codes in December of 2002.
PDS implemented the Construction Site Erosion Control Ordinance bringing the City into compliance with EPA requirements. PDS staff partnered with the Associated General Contractors, Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho and Boise State University to provide training in erosion control methods and plan preparation methods to over 1300 contractors and design professionals. |
| Technology: Created a new automated "friendly reminder" process that sends computer-generated postcards to customers informing them that their residential remodel, alteration or service permit is about to expire.
Added ability to send "real time" text messages regarding inspection results to customers' cell phones and pagers. |
| Community Development: The Housing & Community Development purchased the 80 unit Quality Inn on Vista. This facility has been converted and now provides 80 units of decent, safe and affordable rental housing for lower income households. The Division also completed construction of the 12 unit Blaser Circle Apartments. These additional 92 units (80 at 2717 Vista Avenue and 12 at Blaser Circle) represent a 47% percent increase in the number of rental units owned and managed by the City's Housing & Community Development Division. |
| |
| Human
Resource Summary |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
| Actuals |
Revised |
Base |
Base |
| Administrative Support | 23.00 | 23.00 | 23.00 | 23.00 | | Department Heads | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | | Division Managers | 4.01 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | | First Line Supervisor | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.51 | 5.51 | | Key Business Managers | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | | Professional | 55.00 | 54.60 | 54.60 | 54.60 | | Service and Maintenance | 2.99 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | | Technical Specialist | 17.99 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 17.00 | | Unit Supervisors | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Total |
112.49 |
112.10 |
112.11 |
111.11 |
|