The Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) of Tucson just snagged an impressive win, bagging the Award of Distinction at the Metropolitan Pima Alliance Common Ground Award Ceremony. This nod of approval puts a spotlight on PDSD's commitment to making lives easier for its customers with innovations aimed at transparency, efficiency, and fostering sustainable development.
PDSD didn't just stop at winning plaudits. The department snagged an AARP 2023 Community Challenge grant for its Casita Model Plan Design Competition. With an open call to designers, PDSD raked in 63 submissions for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designs. The collaboration with AIA Southern Arizona paid off, culminating in 10 pre-approved plans homeowners can now pick from, trimming down the red tape to erect casitas and giving Tucson's housing scene a much-needed boost in affodability and accessibility, according to an article published on the city's website.
In the trenches of bureaucracy, PDSD's Permit Review Lanes initiative, launched in August 2023, is cutting through the red tape like a hot knife through butter. Smaller projects are seeing light at the end of the tunnel faster with set review times, and certain permits are flying out the door in just one day. The "Fast Lane" isn't dragging its feet either, targeting 15-day review periods for those projects that usually get bogged down in the system. It's a game-changer.
October 2023 saw the rollout of another ace up PDSD's sleeve: the Permit Dashboard. This isn't just another tool - it's reshaping the landscape of transparency and pulling back the curtain on the sometimes-opaque permitting process. With real-time data on the average time from application to permit in hand, an approximately 85% on-time review rate, and a stream of appreciation flowing from community members, PDSD is clearly onto something. It's more than just a shiny new toy; it's a beacon guiding Tucson to smoother developmental shores, as detailed on their official site.
The takeaway is clear: PDSD isn't just another cog in the city machine, it's a bright example of what can happen when an agency doesn't just rest on its laurels but pushes the envelope, time and again. The Award of Distinction isn't just a pat on the back, it's a loud and clear signal that PDSD is doing the work and doing it well.
