The Planning and Development Process

I have worked in economic development for twenty years and have recently seen one of the most cumbersome processes ever. There are times when it can take 3-4 years from beginning of review to issuance of a CO. There are an incredible number of committees which review each proposal and every city department head has to sign off on it. What do you think is a reasonable process and how long do you think it should take? Is 3-4 year, under any circumstance reasonable?