Development Services Review. Final Report. Zucker July 2016

Building Permit and Inspection Function The Morgan Hill building permit function is seen as “great.” However, it takes over a week to get an inspection. Next day inspection is desired.

Communication There is poor communication between Community Development and Public Works. Some communication issues also exist with Building and the others but less so.

Consultants The use of consultants is fine. The use of third party plan checks is particularly good.

Development Review Committee The DRC is not considered effective and developers are not allowed to attend, which is an issue.

Overview Morgan Hill staff are very friendly.

Partnering Developers like to see themselves as being in partnership with the city and this was the case in Morgan Hill. However, in recent years this approach in Morgan Hill seems to have deteriorated.

Problem Solving Most Morgan Hill managers are seen as good problem solvers and willing to work with you, particularly the Assistant City Manager and the Building Manager.

Process Morgan Hill’s development processes are not well defined. Once you get out of the processes that do exist it can be very difficult – “things are loose and goosy”. Staff comments on reviews are not clear or concise. The same issues come up on repeat processes and it is hard to rely on prior processes. Issues tend to be revisited for each process.

There are no clear timelines for most of the processes and timelines are very slow.

Virtually everything in the city requires a development agreement.

The city lacks performance standards.

Morgan Hill, California

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