The Development Services Department is responsible for managing the processes associated with land use and the physical development of the City; planning for future development; and assisting in the design of public improvements and infrastructure. The department also provides technical support to the City Council, City Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment. The department comprises two divisions:

Planning

The Planning Division is primarily responsible for oversight of the comprehensive planning process and administration of the zoning process and other land use related functions. The division reviews zoning proposals and requests for zoning and fence variances; conducts demographic analysis and special studies; and manages all activities associated with formulating and implementing the City’s long-range comprehensive plan.

Development and Engineering

The Development and Engineering Division is responsible for processing development applications to ensure compliance with City regulations and policies. Development applications include plats, site plans, landscape plans, building elevations, and civil engineering plans. The division coordinates the inter-departmental review of all development proposals through the Development Review Committee; provides technical feedback and direction to applicants and confirms that plan deficiencies are addressed; advises the City Plan Commission regarding approval of development plans; and approves development plans where applicable. The division also administers development contracts for public infrastructure improvements and coordinates construction inspections. Other key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with policies designed to reduce concentration of pollutants in storm water runoff during land development; processing variance requests to the Subdivision and Development Code; and managing the City’s annual Community Revitalization Awards program.