Page 370 - City of Arlington FY19 Adopted Operating Budget

Invest in Our Economy

Goal 1: Enhance Economic Impact Through Development and
Redevelopment Efforts, Partnerships, and Investment Opportunities
Objective 2: Build a Strong and Diverse Business Community
Project Performance Measure(s) City Service Team (Department)
IOE Small Business Initiative  Small Business Permitting Process Economic Development and Capital
1.2.6 Improvement Investment (CDP)
 Creation of a user‐friendly web page for
small business assistance
 Create a Small Business Assistance Guide
(booklet)
Summary:
Milestone for SBI Estimated Actual
The Developer’s Focus Group (DFG) was created two Committee Items Completion Completion
years ago to facilitate the lack of positive interaction Webpage Created Aug. 2017 Aug. 2017
and in‐depth dialog with the developers of Arlington Small Business Assistance Oct. 2018 In Progress
and City staff. The group is structured with new and Guide Created
seasoned developers, architects and contractors, to Milestone for Estimated Actual
reflect a good blend of experienced development DFG Items Completion Completion
professionals. The main purpose is to draw upon our Grease Interceptor Dec. 2017 Dec. 2017
developer’s experiences and reactions to our existing Ordinance Updated
development processes. The open and free Policy of waiving Fire Line Dec. 2017‐ Dec. 2017‐
discussions of the group typically generate ideas and Impact Fees for Residential Feb. 2018 Feb. 2018
provides a wealth of information to our organization, Dwellings and Commercial
while providing an excellent platform to allow staff Buildings
direct contact with the developer community to Completing building and Dec. 2017 Jan. 2018
provide updates to a variety of processes and fire inspections for small
implemented improvements to our ever‐changing Commercial Remodel
business environment. permits and Certificate of
Occupancy in one stop
In the summer of 2017, a Small Business Initiative
Residential Subdivision Oct. 2018 In Progress
(SBI) committee was formed with staff from the City
Permitting Process
and Chamber of Commerce to identify the issues or Improvement
challenges that small businesses are dealing with, in

setting up their business in Arlington. The following

action items were identified for Small Business
Assistance.
Update:
 Create a webpage identifying resources,
The Small Business Assistance webpage had 5,005 online visitors
including steps on how to start a business, through September 2018.
how to obtain financing, property
development, and business resources From July to September, Planning and Development Services
 Develop a Small Business Assistance Guide (PDS) worked with Public Works and Transportation (PWT) to
to place at key locations for visitors streamline the permitting process for residential subdivisions.
 Simplify the permitting and inspection Residential permits may be submitted once all the items are
processes, create cost‐effectiveness, and complete. In order to streamline the business flow, early
time‐sensitivity for Small Businesses to residential permits may be issued for model homes once the PWT
succeed letter of acceptance has been issued but prior to the final PDS
acceptance.

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