PORT TOWNSEND — A training program to improve efficiency and customer service has already benefitted the Jefferson County Department of Community Development, the department’s director said.
Carl Smith on Monday told about 45 people at a Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce meeting that the training, which began last spring, has already shown progress in speeding up permit approval.
Part of the efficiency comes from having personnel from different departments available during an initial appointment.
“There has been a major improvement in the format review process,” Smith said.
“If an applicant makes an appointment, all of those involved in the application — the planner, [and representatives of ] public health and public works — meets them at the counter and discusses the application,” he explained.
“So they leave the appointment with all the major issues resolved.”
Regular staff meetings have aided efficiency, Smith said.
“This sounds so simple, but every morning there are meetings with all the planners,” he said.
“Anyone with a question can get the benefit of everyone’s input and clear up the questions that may have lingered or slowed people down.”
Smith said that difficulties understanding all the codes can cause bottlenecks.
“As a society, we have made land use complex,” he said, displaying a slide that showed code documents stacked in a pile that exceeded his own height.
“These are all things that the public wanted, the elected officials adopted and then agencies had a hand in writing these codes and regulations,” Smith said.
“But this represents the collective will of the community because we want these things for beneficial purposes like health and safety, quality construction and environmental protection but it makes development complex.”
Smith said the initial training took place last year with a facilitator. Monthly meetings have refined the process.
“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” he said.
“We have created a matrix that lists over 100 standard operating procedures, linked to instructions about what to do in each case.”
To make an appointment, call the DCD office at 360-379-4450.
The office, which is at 621 Sheridan St., in Port Townsend, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It is closed Fridays.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
