- Apr 16, 2023
- 803
- 136
As reported here, the Marin County Community Development Agency recently introduced its first "permit obudsperson." The goal of the position, according to the agency's director is to "eliminate the difficulties in issuing building permits while lowering overall costs and frustration for the applicants.” Cristy Stanley, a veteran in the county's Community Development Agency, has taken up this role since late August. Her job will involve "following the permit process across departments and divisions, including the agency’s planning, building, environmental health services and code enforcement divisions." The article mentions that the impetus for establishing the position stems from recommendations that came out of an audit completed for the County about a decade ago.
Hopefully some real streamlining results from this new position but those involved in building permitting in Marin County will just have to monitor and see. Just checked this agency's Google reviews (2.3/5) and though there aren't many, there are more bad reviews than good ones. So there does appear to be room for improvement. I'll just say that while adding staff for the purpose of improving efficiency sounds good, fighting for streamlining with additional people and processes isn't always guaranteed to be effective. Hopefully this staffing change does succeed in making a difference.
Hopefully some real streamlining results from this new position but those involved in building permitting in Marin County will just have to monitor and see. Just checked this agency's Google reviews (2.3/5) and though there aren't many, there are more bad reviews than good ones. So there does appear to be room for improvement. I'll just say that while adding staff for the purpose of improving efficiency sounds good, fighting for streamlining with additional people and processes isn't always guaranteed to be effective. Hopefully this staffing change does succeed in making a difference.
- Location
- Marin County, California, United States