[CPN] Mayor Hancock Announces New and Improved Development Services Website

 

		PRESS RELEASE           For Immediate Release     Monday, Aug. 27, 2012
	City and County of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock  Rowena Alegría, Communications Director Rowena.Alegria@DenverGov.org Amber Miller, Press Secretary Amber.Miller@DenverGov.org O: 720.865.9095 Denver Community Planning and Development   Andrea Burns,  Communications Director Andrea.Burns@DenverGov.org    Mayor Hancock Announces New and Improved Development  Services Website   DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Development Services Director Kelly Leid today announced a new and improved Development Services website tailored for homeowners, contractors and anyone undertaking a construction project in Denver.   The new site offers content and tools based on what type of project the user is conducting and sets a foundation for more expansive offerings coming in 2013. The website upgrade is part of the Mayor's new "e-Denver" initiative – unveiled during Mayor Hancock's State of the City address last month – which will provide residents easy, 24-hour online access to city services.   "Smart government works for its people by meeting them where they are, and people are more electronically connected than ever," Mayor Hancock said.  "That's why our city departments are working to leverage technology to provide convenient customer service right from your office, your living or your smart device."   View the website at www.denvergov.org/ds.   Highlights of the new site include: ·         Home Projects The "Home Projects" section divides content by the type of project: Inside the Home, Outside the Home, Building/Expanding a Home and Demolition.   ·         Commercial Projects Each commercial project category has an associated checklist that provides a general guide as to what types of reviews, permits and approvals will be necessary. With this feature, customers can see at a glance what their project may entail.   ·         Help Me Find… "Help Me Find" is a new menu option that provides shortcuts to some of the most searched information, such as the building code, building permits and zoning.   The website is the first step toward a broader e-service platform for customers moving through the City's review, permitting and inspection processes. By leveraging online processes, Development Services is achieving a number of efficiencies.   Remote Check-in This past spring, Development Services launched a new remote check-in system. Customers seeking permits now experience a convenient, automated queuing system that allows them to check-in on-site at a kiosk or remotely. Customers are notified via text message as their appointment time gets closer and can move further back in line if more pressing matters arise.   Staying Connected From the Development Services homepage, users may access the agency's new Twitter account (@DenverCPD) or sign up to receive e-newsletters with updates on city planning, zoning and development, as well as landmark preservation news in Denver. They may also complete a customer survey – allowing them to provide feedback directly to managers in Community Planning and Development.   Site Engineer Review Permits More than 90 percent of the customers that work with site engineering take advantage of Development Services' electronic submittal process for permitting. Site engineering reviews are just one of several review processes that ensure a project meets basic safety standards and Denver codes. In 2013, Development Services will offer additional permitting, plan submittals and payment options online – saving Denver customers time and money.   "Each of these new tools will enable our department to provide smarter services and to better serve the citizens of Denver," Director Leid said. "And we've just gotten started."   # # #