KevinFromTexas
Mar 1, 2007, 6:10 AM
I remember rjlevins mentioning this. By the way, where in the world is he anyway? I haven't seen him on the forum in months. This sounds like a good idea. For some folks who don't have cable, (me), this would be helpful since we can't watch the city's access 6 channel.
From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/01/1review.html
Get an early peek at upcoming development in Austin
City's new online system will allow public to monitor review process.
By Kate Alexander
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Keeping an eye on Austin's ever-changing landscape could get a little easier as the city cracks open its development review process to the public next week.
The $3.2 million online system, to be unveiled at a news conference today, is intended to smooth the review process for development projects and give the public early access to those projects. It will be available to the public on the city Web site Monday.
Peter Collins, the city's chief information officer, said people will be able to track the work of six city departments involved in the review and monitor the approval process at each step, making it all more transparent and accessible.
So a resident would be able to get details on that project planned for her street, see what the inspector had to say about the new addition to her house or read city staff members' comments on the new high-profile condo building downtown.
"I think the public is going to be more informed with minimum effort," said Collins, who encouraged users to contact him with suggestions for improvements or problems that need to get fixed.
City Council Member Lee Leffingwell said the system, which as been in the works for three years, will achieve many of the goals included in last year's failed charter amendment that called for all city public records to be made available on the Internet in real-time.
Bill Bunch, who championed that charter amendment as executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, said it saves everyone time and money when the city does business online.
But the new system will not provide much of the information residents need to scrutinize the effect of a project, such as traffic analyses, environmental reviews and engineering reports, Bunch said.
The system can handle those documents, Collins said, if city management decides to make them available online.
Bunch also criticized the lack of opportunity for the public to give input on projects.
"It is still just a two-party affair between the city and their customer — the applicant — and concerned citizens are third-class, uninvited guests to the party," Bunch said.
Kathie Tovo, president of the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, said she needs to see how much information is available before she judges thesystem. But Tovo welcomed anything that could help the neighborhood get involved earlier in the process.
"Our neighborhood association will find it very useful to have information sooner," Tovo said. "The more information the better."
For developers, one major change is that inspectors will have tablet computers with wireless access so inspection results will be available immediately online. Also, as each step is completed, the person responsible for the next one will be automatically notified.
Harry Savio, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, said his members hope the system will speed the process.
Collins said there probably will be initial delays and problems.
But his deputy, Karen Sharp, added that the end result will be better information and better decisions.
Development review
On Monday, the City of Austin's development review will be available to the public at www.ci.austin.tx.us/ devreview/index.jsp
Questions or problems?
Phone: 974-HELP
Email: onestopshop@ ci.austin.tx.us
Chief Information Officer Peter Collins can be reached at 974-2344, or e-mail Pete.Collins@ci.austin.tx.us
From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/01/1review.html
Get an early peek at upcoming development in Austin
City's new online system will allow public to monitor review process.
By Kate Alexander
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Keeping an eye on Austin's ever-changing landscape could get a little easier as the city cracks open its development review process to the public next week.
The $3.2 million online system, to be unveiled at a news conference today, is intended to smooth the review process for development projects and give the public early access to those projects. It will be available to the public on the city Web site Monday.
Peter Collins, the city's chief information officer, said people will be able to track the work of six city departments involved in the review and monitor the approval process at each step, making it all more transparent and accessible.
So a resident would be able to get details on that project planned for her street, see what the inspector had to say about the new addition to her house or read city staff members' comments on the new high-profile condo building downtown.
"I think the public is going to be more informed with minimum effort," said Collins, who encouraged users to contact him with suggestions for improvements or problems that need to get fixed.
City Council Member Lee Leffingwell said the system, which as been in the works for three years, will achieve many of the goals included in last year's failed charter amendment that called for all city public records to be made available on the Internet in real-time.
Bill Bunch, who championed that charter amendment as executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, said it saves everyone time and money when the city does business online.
But the new system will not provide much of the information residents need to scrutinize the effect of a project, such as traffic analyses, environmental reviews and engineering reports, Bunch said.
The system can handle those documents, Collins said, if city management decides to make them available online.
Bunch also criticized the lack of opportunity for the public to give input on projects.
"It is still just a two-party affair between the city and their customer — the applicant — and concerned citizens are third-class, uninvited guests to the party," Bunch said.
Kathie Tovo, president of the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, said she needs to see how much information is available before she judges thesystem. But Tovo welcomed anything that could help the neighborhood get involved earlier in the process.
"Our neighborhood association will find it very useful to have information sooner," Tovo said. "The more information the better."
For developers, one major change is that inspectors will have tablet computers with wireless access so inspection results will be available immediately online. Also, as each step is completed, the person responsible for the next one will be automatically notified.
Harry Savio, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, said his members hope the system will speed the process.
Collins said there probably will be initial delays and problems.
But his deputy, Karen Sharp, added that the end result will be better information and better decisions.
Development review
On Monday, the City of Austin's development review will be available to the public at www.ci.austin.tx.us/ devreview/index.jsp
Questions or problems?
Phone: 974-HELP
Email: onestopshop@ ci.austin.tx.us
Chief Information Officer Peter Collins can be reached at 974-2344, or e-mail Pete.Collins@ci.austin.tx.us