Tuesdays at APA: Making Your Development Approval Process an Economic Development Tool

June 25, 2013


As we emerge from the Great Recession, communities with a
predictable development review and approval process have a
powerful competitive advantage in attracting private investment
and economic development. Now, more than ever, limited access to
capital, weaker markets, and less ability (or willingness) to
share financial incentives is steering good development toward
"easier" environments. "Winning" communities are delivering a
predictable entitlement process that advances the community's
planning and development objectives and rewards good development
with less stress and less delay.


This concept is not about giving away the store, "padding"
anybody's bottom line, or accepting undesirable development. The
focus is on a balance between the assurance that communities must
have from an approval and the predictability a developer seeks in
navigating that process. Michael Blue, FAICP, from Teska
Associates will draw on his experience managing municipal
development departments and serving clients as a consultant to
outline how communities can evaluate their approval systems with
an eye toward securing desirable outcomes. The session will focus
on questions such as: What parts of the approval process are most
essential? What elements may be missing from your process that
can provide greater confidence to city and developer?