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MISSION STATEMENT
Planning
The Department oversees two important functions in the development of the City, the physical planning and development function and the building code permitting and enforcement function. The planning function consists of studying how the City is growing and changing, particularly as influenced by physical, economic and social forces. It is through planning that communities can be shaped and guided. It attempts to tie together many aspects of the City and its growth with the goal of helping create a healthy, well developed community. The Department is responsible for implementing the City's Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, subdivision code, floodplain management ordinance, and building codes. The Department also coordinates the work of several citizen volunteer boards, including the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Officer, Historic
Preservation Commission, and Building Code Review Committee. We work with these bodies in preparation of materials for their review, as well as coordinating their recommendations with the City Council and the Community Development aldermanic subcommittee.
The Department brings community leaders options on how to best utilize the community's resources to best achieve its goals. This effort requires communication and cooperation with builders, citizens, volunteer boards , and other City departments. Nearly every City department is affected in its services by the development proposals that are submitted. To better understand the City-wide affects of these developments, the Planning and Zoning Department coordinates development reviews with the Engineering, Fire, and Police Departments.
Building and Code Enforcement
Building inspection and code enforcement looks at the construction of new buildings and maintenance of existing structures within the City. The City has adopted standards for building and development in order to protect the public safety and welfare, and to sustain long-term investment in the community by property owners and businesses. It is through the enforcement of these standards that the community continues to ensure quality developments and projects that are built safely and that create an asset for the community rather than a liability.
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