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NEEDS ASSESSMENT FINDINGS <br />DEVELOPERS AND BUSINESS INTERESTS <br />Since the impetus for this project started with feedback from business developers to the <br />Economic Development Committee, we will examine the concerns of the developers first. <br />Feedback from developers indicates that they have observed a significant unprovement in <br />the Review and Permitting process in the past year. Although there are different <br />perceptions among developers, and even with the improvements, developers want to feel <br />more of a partnership with the City through increased communication at various stages of <br />the Review and Permitting process. This will reduce costly last minute surprises for both <br />the developers and the City planner. <br />1. Specific concerns <br />a. Both groups of business people expressed a strong desire for more dialogue <br />and problem solving with the City Staff during the review process. They <br />understand the City's position that a closed Review meeting is more efficient <br />for everyone, but feel there could be more formal conversation either before <br />the Review meeting to outline the requirements for a successful Review, <br />and/or after the Review meeting to go over the City recommendations. There <br />• should be enough tune to respond to these recommendations before the City <br />Planning Commission meeting. <br />b. Timing is critical for developers. Any official documents need to be delivered <br />to the developer as quickly as possible. <br />c. The issue of better teamwork between the City and. the municipal utility <br />was brought up by several people, although it may represent only one <br />incident. <br />d. Fees have increased dramatically in the past few years. Some developers <br />question why, others accept this as the cost of doing business. An explanation <br />would alleviate much skepticism. <br />e. Business people strongly feel the need for the City to take an impartial "Just <br />the facts, ma'am" position rather than. strongly advocate the City's <br />recommendations with the Planning Commission or Council. They suggested <br />that the tone of the Review process should be one of choices and explanations, <br />rather than adversarial. <br />• <br />page 3 <br />