Salt Lake City Takes Steps To Fix Dysfunctional Planning Department

After a recent audit revealed that long-time problems that have plagued the city's planning division, local leaders are taking action to remedy the situation.

1 minute read

April 22, 2008, 7:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Salt Lake City leaders are moving quickly to shepherd the city's planning division out of its dysfunctional state, including making the money available to do the job.

Earlier this week, the Salt Lake City Council approved Mayor Ralph Becker's budget amendment requests for three new full-time employees in the planning division, as well as new electronic planning and review software.

The staff increases were listed as major recommendations in an audit of the planning division by management consultant company Citygate Associates. It was released earlier this month. The report labeled the city's planning processes "dysfunctional" and said that a "cultural change" was needed to remedy the problems.

"This is in direct response to the audit," David Everitt, Becker's chief of staff, said of the new planning positions.

The three full-time employees will assist with the city's new One-Stop-Shop Buzz Center. Also a recommendation of the audit, the Buzz Center is designed to provide more efficient and convenient service by allowing residents to address all of their planning and zoning needs in one place."

Saturday, April 19, 2008 in Deseret News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight