Glendale homeowner groups are optimistic that a reorganization of four of Glendale’s key departments will result in fewer bureaucratic headaches and more comprehensive and consistent code enforcement. The reorganization was approved unanimously by the Glendale City Council on September 29, and is slated to be implemented by the end of November.
Under the reorganization, the Planning Department would become the Community Planning Department, which would oversee all land-use and entitlement issues in the city, including all permitting and code enforcement. Parks, Recreation and Community Services would become the Community Services and Parks Department, and would focus on the city’s social service programs. Development Services would become the Economic Development and Housing Department, which would oversee all redevelopment activity, affordable-housing development and the city’s Section 8 program.
Homeowner groups are most interested in the combination of planning, permitting and code enforcement functions, which they say will help building processes be less confusing for residents. Importantly, a unified department will also mean that staff can no longer “pass the buck” from one department to another when facing difficult planning and code enforcement issues.
The restructuring is expected to save the City about $150,000 annually with the potential for more. This Glendale News Press article has further details about the restructuring.