TMCnet News
Software upgrade for permits makes progress [The High Point Enterprise, N.C.](High Point Enterprise (NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 10--HIGH POINT -- A technological upgrade aimed at addressing one of the main complaints against the city is about 50 percent complete. City officials say the $1.8 million upgrade -- technically called the installation of Accela Automation Enterprise Software -- will provide a new computerized system that will enable the city's planning and development department to receive electronic submittals of plans for construction projects. "We hear from City Council, this is the No. 1 project, get it done. And we're trying to do that," said Tom Spencer, systems project administrator for the city. The project, which will replace a 21-year-old system, has a targeted go-live date of spring 2015. It's expected to speed up the time it takes the city to process permit applications from contractors and others undertaking building projects. The upgrade also is expected to make the process for completing city inspections of construction projects quicker. "Any kind of application -- whether it's a building permit, rezoning, special use permit, site plan -- you will be able to go online," said Planning and Development Director Lee Burnette. "It's very robust. It's going to take a lot of outreach to our customers." Officials said the new system will save applicants time and money by eliminating the need to bring paper submissions to City Hall. "You can apply for a permit on Sunday night, and it's waiting for us Monday morning at 8 a.m.," Burnette said. The goal is to provide a better communication tool that can guide the public from the time they apply for a permit to the point at which they obtain a certificate of occupancy. The new software will link several city departments that play a role in approving development projects, such as engineering services, transportation, public services and fire. Officials said this will help get projects approved more quickly and better inform builders about what is required of them and where their projects stand in the approval process. [email protected] -- 888-3531 ___ (c)2014 The High Point Enterprise (High Point, N.C.) Visit The High Point Enterprise (High Point, N.C.) at www.hpe.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |