OLDS — Statistics indicate that the Town of Olds planning and development department is remarkably efficient, according to operations director Scott Grieco.
During a council meeting, Grieco said so far this year, the average processing time for a development permit for permitted uses in Olds is 3.65 business days.
He said under the province’s Municipal Government Act, the maximum time allowed for that process is 60 days.
“That’s a very quick turnaround time for our planning and development department, so it does speak to the work the team is doing with respect to that,” he said.
However, Grieco warned it’s getting busier in the planning and development department, now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
“I’m hoping we can maintain those numbers because as more and more inquiries come in, it does get a lot more busy,” Grieco said.
“With respect to subdivision approval, that’s a little bit different than a simple development permit approval.
“When there’s subdivision or big developments that come in, that process does take a little bit longer because there’s a lot more work to go through with respect to that.”
Grieco said the department is launching a new system that will show prospective developers exactly where things such as utilities are located on land parcels.
Coun. Heather Ryan wondered why permits are processed so quickly in Olds. She asked if that’s due to online processing.
“I wouldn’t necessarily think it’s with respect to the online. What I do think is we’re a very nimble, small department and we’re able to quickly react when questions are (posed),” he said.
“I appreciate you guys getting those permits done so quickly. I know that’s sometimes one of the biggest complaints that municipalities have is how long it takes for permitting, so good job, thank you,” Ryan said.
