New technology and new tools are making it easiest and more efficient to do business within the city of Katy, city staff members told attendees during a ”Roadmap” presentation at the offices of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.
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New technology and new tools are making it easiest and more efficient to do business within the city of Katy, city staff members told attendees during a ”Roadmap” presentation at the offices of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. The meeting took place on January 16 at the Chamber’s offices at 814 East Avenue in Katy.
The presentation was centered around navigating city regulations and requirements pertinent to businesses in the Katy area, with attendees gaining insights into the best practices for engaging with local government. City staff presenters included Assistant Buildings Official Eli Fernandez, City Planner Rachel Lazo, Community Development Director Ian Clowes, and Executive Director of Public Works and Community Development Elaine Lutringer.
After the panelists were introduced, Clowes began presentation with an overview of the organizational chart for the city’s development department, which includes the building and permits and the city planning department, with an explanation for each role. Then Lazo gave an overview of the development process for the city, which included a pre-development planning meeting, voluntary annexation, zoning, land use, platting, addressing, certificate of occupancy, permit/plan review and construction and inspections.
Lazo also introduced the city website, which she said “contained a wealth of information” as well as online maps and GIS tools available from the city which could be helpful in the development process. Other online tools available from the city include “Am I a resident?”, zoning maps and zoning updates. She also said that the city is working on updating its landscaping ordinance to encourage tree preservation and to “maintain what we have in the city because we are very proud of that.”
Lazo discussed the plans for a small entertainment district in the city, which was identified in the city’s comprehensive plan and which will tie the city’s attractions together and the “Target project” which will bring the large retailer to Texas Heritage Marketplace. Although she discussed the Katy Court residential development, she said most development now taking place in the city is commercial.
City of Katy current development projects – including applications for certificates of occupancy, commercial projects and projects to be discussed in future public meetings – may also be viewed online, Clowes said.
Assistant Building Official Eli Fernandez gave an overview of the permits staff department and explained the “EnerGov” online permit application portal. Paper submittals are now no longer required in most cases, he said. Permit applications that are now live on the site include residential new construction, commercial electrical, residential electrical, irrigation (both residential and commercial), mechanical commercial, commercial plumbing, residential plumbing, pools, signs, and mobile food vendors. All permits are reviewed electronically and comments are sent back to the applicant via email, Fernandez said. The city is in the process of adding water and sewer tap applications and commercial building
permits to the portal. The new technology has decreased permit review turnaround time from 15 to ten days, Fernandez said. The department has also recently extended inspection call in cutoff time from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The chamber plans to host similar sessions with city staff in the future, KACC President and CEO Matthew Ferraro said.