The City of Meridian is in the process of consolidating the Planning Department and our Development Services Division (Land Development and Building Services).
My Name is Barbara Shiffer and I am the Administrative Assistant for the Planning Department Staff. I am looking forward to the merger, since we provide service to many of the same customers, I think it will only improve our customer service and help us serve our community and improve the communication between all departments involved.
The Department will have three major functions—all related to addressing the needs of our development and building community—lands development, building, and planning.
Many cities have moved toward this organization structure and Meridian has evolved to the point, that as a full service city this is a logical step.
Creating an umbrella organization has the advantage of bringing the agencies responsible for guiding community development together under one Director. This should facilitate aligning the efforts of the three groups and improving communication among the groups as well. In particular, one of the biggest benefits will be having all permitting functions under one department. This will create an integrated and systematic permitting program.
This reorganization will promote a coherent, integrated permitting system that can respond to the Mayor's priorities—including Economic Development.
Overall, the city is excited to be able to better service the needs of our development and Building Community.
The Planning Department will move to the first floor of City Hall with Building Services on or about by February 1, 2012.