Officials in Los Angeles are trying to streamline the process of getting projects permitted and approved -- an effort that could rapidly increase the amount of time it takes to develop in the city.
"The multi-tiered plan has been in development since the January arrival of First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner. It tackles both big-and small-picture aspects of the development process, from addressing the way that city departments treat developers and interact with each other, to making it easier for developers to know where their project is in the permitting pipeline.
Some of the most important points include changing the way that the departments of Planning and Building and Safety work with developers as projects go from sketches on paper to concrete and steel."
To help streamline the process, an outside consultant will be called in to closely examine the city's developmental process and offer thoughts on cuts and workarounds.
FULL STORY: Development Reform, Development Revolution

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