Augusta administrator outlines reforms to speed plan reviews after builders complain of long delays

Developers’ complaints about slow plan-review processes prompted an update to the commission on March 31: city administrators said they have created an administrator’s construction advisory council, improved online notifications and are implementing a new software platform to make plan reviews electronic and faster.

Mayor Pro Tim Wayne Gilfoil and the administrator described the advisory council as a standing forum of industry representatives and department leads that meets monthly to identify operational fixes. The administrator said the council includes utilities, engineering, fire, IT and building inspectors and is working to unify review comments so applicants do not have to restart 45-day review cycles when a single comment requires a resubmission.

Why it matters: Commissioners said surrounding counties are processing housing and building permits at higher rates and argued that streamlined reviews could encourage local development. The administrator said policy and procedural changes will be returned to the commission by June; the commission received the briefing as information.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the software selection, continue stakeholder meetings and prepare policy recommendations and proposed timelines for the commission.