Redmond moves forward with state-of-the-art electronic planning technology

UPDATED: Councilmember (CM) Hank Margeson's Committee Meeting on Planning and Public Works almost always has an agenda loaded with at least one interesting topic. I sat in on Hank's 7/16 meeting and he didn't let me down.

Staff presented a new electronic technology for reviewing land use, building, and civil permitting plans. The product was demonstrated and compared to the current, cumbersome paper planning process.

Presently, documents for each permit plan are stored as thick, heavy 4-foot rolls of paper. These permit plans are so bulky it takes two people to haul them upstairs to the Permit Center. Planning Director Rob Odle quipped at photograph of a heavy roll leaning against a desk: "and that roll was just for a single family house permit." Storing and copying these paper planning documents is cumbersome and expensive.

The proposed electronic plan system is anything but cumbersome and redundant. The digital review technology makes it possible for ALL departments (including Fire) to work together real time on project plans from it's original design to the final permit. "Stuff" isn't missed, downtime is eliminated and the complete review process moves faster and, in the end promotes economic development. Electronic copies are readily accessible. The applicants are happy because they can go on the city website to assist in moving the project forward. Nancy McCormick said "fees could go down, not up."

The "overlay tool" is staff's favorite feature. New verisons of a plan can be overlaid on older versions to highlight deletions, additions and other changes as the plan moves forward. Other digital tools help to identify problems and make it more fun for staff e.g zoom, cloud, sticky note, colors.

Rob Odle's Planning & Development Department took four bids and surveyed Bend, OR, Bellingham, WA, and Beaverton, OR for product satisfaction and economy. Implimentation costs for the program are $232,000; ongoing maintenance fees are $18,000/year. However, technology efficiencies lower departmental costs 20% on average for most cities. Bend, OR has saved 50% with their electronic planning technology.

Councilmembers Margeson, Cole, Allen, and McCormick appeared elated with the technology and staff's presentation. Redmond would be the first city in King County to employ the new digital permit planning technology.

Bend, OR. Electronic Plan Review e-plan website