City of Medicine Hat outlines ongoing efforts to improve development approval process

Several initiatives have already been completed.

Those include weekly online postings of approved building permits, signage at sites involving proposed rezonings and significant developments, and a free online tool that allows residents to check whether a business or contractor has a valid licence.

The City has also introduced a customer survey to identify service gaps and gather feedback, established more consistent steps for business licence reviews, and created clearer processes intended to speed up building permit reviews.

Planning and Development Services has also reviewed internal workflows to eliminate unnecessary steps and reduce delays, while updating review processes to improve timeline tracking and accountability.

The City now tracks and publishes quarterly reports showing permit application processing times and has established clearer steps for engineering reviews.

A fully digital permitting process has also been implemented to improve organization, tracking and communication with applicants.

Some initiatives remain under review.

The City is looking at ways to improve application coordination, update the occupancy permit process and improve tracking tools used to measure timelines.

Planning application processes are also being reviewed, including payment procedures and the tracking of engineering reviews.

Other work includes reviewing user guides and the technical coordination committee process to identify opportunities for greater clarity and efficiency.

Upcoming initiatives include developing project guides and checklists to help applicants submit complete applications, reviewing how artificial intelligence tools could support department processes, and creating a plain-language service manual for staff and applicants.

The City also plans to review its pre-application process to improve tracking and the transition from preliminary discussions to complete applications.

Conrad Westerson, manager of engineering and safety codes services with Planning and Development Services, says the development process can be complex and overwhelming for residents, businesses and developers.

“We understand that the development process is complex, expansive, and has many vital elements within it that may feel overwhelming for users,“ Westerson said in a statement.

He says applicants and members of the community have varying levels of familiarity with the development process, making it difficult to design a single approach that works for everyone.

Westerson said the Continuous Improvement Program is intended to help the department adapt to those different needs and respond to changing expectations.

Residents, developers and business owners who have used Planning and Development Services are encouraged by the City to provide feedback through its online survey.

The City of Medicine Hat says it will provide updates on the Continuous Improvement Program annually, as well as when significant initiatives are completed.

by Jett Schwaier

City of Medicine Hat outlines ongoing efforts to improve development approval process

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