Page 32 - City of Arlington FY19 Adopted Operating Budget
P. 32

Business Plan





            Planning and Development Services strives to make Arlington a premier City by engaging in visionary planning, building
            vibrant neighborhoods, and serving our residents, businesses, and visitors.

                                                Customer service is the core focus of this department. Since the launch of the
                                                One Start Center and the AMANDA tracking software in 2006, the Planning and
                                                Development  Services  Department in Arlington has continuously enhanced
                                                customer service. The One Start Development  Center  assists homeowners,
                                                business owners, and the development community with the permitting process
                                                that includes payments, business registrations, permit issuance, as well as
                                                provides guidance to walk-in customers by three over-the-counter professionals:
                                                planner, engineer, and plans examiner. During FY 2018, the One Start Center
                                                assisted 21,501 walk-in customers and processed 28,127 permit applications.

            The Land Development Division strives to understand the developer’s vision
            and make it  happen for them. This  is where  creativity  meets practicality.
            Planners and engineers in this team set up a pre-submittal meeting with the
            developer to understand the vision, and then guide them with the development
            processes as needed, rezoning, platting, or site plan process. In FY 2018, staff
            facilitated 170 pre-submittal meetings, and approximately 60 percent have
            already turned into real  projects. 62 zoning, 84 plats,  and  106 site  plan
            applications were processed this year.

                                                     The Building Inspection
                                                     Division is responsible for the plan review of residential and commercial
                                                     building permits, as well as the inspections of those structures during
                                                     construction and  before issuing certificates of occupancy.  The team
                                                     ensures that structures are constructed to adhere to the current building
                                                     codes to protect the safety of those who utilize the structures.  During FY
                                                     2018, the plan review team’s goal for plans reviewed to the 1  comments
                                                                                                       st
                                                     were met 98% of the time for commercial plans.  This was a record year for
            building permits issued for construction valuations totaling $1.6B.  This was a 77% increase over FY 2017.

            During FY 2018, approximately 24,000 permits were issued and close to 48,000 inspections were conducted.  All inspections
            were completed within 24 hours of the request.  This also includes sign permits and inspections, as well as health services
            provided through food establishment and childcare permits and inspections.  The Health Services team also manages the
            mosquito mitigation program and responds to citizen’s health complaints.  The Gas Well team is responsible for the land
            development, permitting, and inspections of gas well drilling and production in the City of Arlington.
            The department is also making steady improvements in online servicing of the customers and making a lasting imprint. The
            leadership is promoting iCare culture amongst staff following the principles of ‘Impression’, ‘Connection’, ‘Attitude’, ‘Response’,
            and ‘Exceptional’.  In September 2018, the Planning and Development Services department was awarded the Certificate of
            Achievement for Planning Excellence by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (TX-APA).
            The Public Works and Transportation Department has the following divisions: Business Services, Construction
            Management, Construction Services, Engineering Operations, Environmental Compliance and Education, Facility Services,
            Fleet  Administration, Floodplain Management, Information Services, Operations Support, Solid Waste  and  Recycling,
            Stormwater  Engineering, Stormwater Operations, Street Maintenance, Traffic Engineering, and Traffic Operations. These
            divisions function together to design, build, and maintain street and drainage infrastructure, public buildings and other assets.
            The Department is responsible for mobility optimization through traffic engineering and technological innovation, and provision
            of signals, street lights, and regulatory signs and markings. Public Works and Transportation staff manage and maintain fleet,
            fuel, and facilities for the City enterprise utilizing an asset management system.



              2019 Adopted Budget and Business Plan                                        17                                                                  City of Arlington, Texas
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