Salt Lake City Takes Steps To Fix Dysfunctional Planning Department

"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."