In this Issue:
- Now Available! Contractor Connect
- BuildSA Training Coming Soon
- FY 2019 Mid-Year Budget Approved
- Legislative News
- PCTAC Update
- LID Incentives, Manuals, and More
- Online Resources
- Performance Measures
- Department News
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Now Available! Contractor Connect
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The Contractor Connect program went into effect on May 13, 2019.
With the program now in full swing, residents can search for a registered home builder and home improvement contractor based on the type of work (roofing, fences, foundations, etc.) needed for the project, and the preferred category-level of Registered Plus or Premier.
With the recent roll out of this program, DSD continues to receive applications for home improvement and home builder contractors applying for the Registered Plus and Premier categories. The Contractor Connect online search tool will be updated as contractors are approved. Contractors are encouraged to apply throughout the year.
Currently, the City of San Antonio has nearly 2,000 registered contractors in good standing, all of whom are available for the registered category.
We are pleased to offer this invaluable resource and look forward to your support in maintaining a safer San Antonio.
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Land Development News
The Land Development Release of BuildSA has been live for eight months. Those who use our new platform can agree there have been many enhancements implemented and best practices formed since the release.
One best practice we continue to focus on is the BuildSA training. The team offered training before and after our go live date of Oct. 1, 2018, and we will continue to add re-occurring sessions as long as they are needed. To ensure we are meeting your training needs, the team distributed a Land Development BuildSA survey on May 15, to our customers, stakeholders, and agencies. The survey closed last week, May 24.
As we wait for BuildSA feedback, we have scheduled two training sessions to be held on June 14 and 21, from 2 - 3:30 p.m, in Training Room B at the One Stop, 1901 S. Alamo, 78204. The sessions are titled Platting: Electronic Document Review (EDR). If you would like to attend, please email the BuildSA support team at
DSDBuildSASupport@SanAntonio.Gov
. Be sure to look at the BuildSA Project -
Training Information
website for upcoming training dates.
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FY 2019 Mid-Year Positions Approved
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On May 16, 2019, City Council approved the FY 2019 Mid-Year Budget. The Development Services Department will benefit from this update by
adding eight new positions to help
as follows:
- Land Development: Two (2) positions to assist with City initiated Large Area Re-Zonings in the queue, some which date back to 2014
- Plan Review: Three (3) positions to address increase in commercial and residential plan reviews and one (1) position to assist with non-commercial plan intake
- Field Services: Two (2) inspector positions to address the large increase in residential inspections
The FY 2020 budget process will soon be getting underway. During the process, we will once again evaluate our department needs to ensure we can keep up with the demand in our growing city.
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The 86
th
Texas Legislature, held in Austin, Texas, adjourned on May 27, 2019.
DSD, in partnership with the Department of Government and Public Affairs, reviewed several bills that had a potential impact on department operations. Throughout the session, Development Services testified or sent letters on bills relating to Short Term Rentals, Tree Preservation, and Building Materials.
DSD and Government Affairs lobbied the Legislature for an amendment to State Law that would allow our code enforcement officers to be equipped with “bite sticks.” The bite sticks are to be used as protection from dog bites in the course of the code officers' duties. We are pleased to say the bill passed the Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s approval.
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PCTAC Applicants are Under Review
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The Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC) advises the Planning Commission on the Major Thoroughfare Plan and Unified Development Code amendments and meets as often as necessary.
The PCTAC is appointed by the Planning Commission after a review of the applications by a committee of Planning Commission members. Currently, eight positions on the PCTAC need to be reappointed or appointed.
The deadline for submitting applications was May 1. Thirteen applications were received and will be reviewed later this month by the Nominating Committee. The full Planning Commission should make appointments or reappointments of PCTAC members in June.
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Low Impact Development Resources
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The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) offers a wide variety of resources for successful planning, design, construction and maintenance of Low Impact Development (LID) projects. LID practices support stormwater quality improvements within the watershed and can often serve multiple functions in any landscape.
Explore the ways in which the River Authority can help with your LID project today:
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Incentive Program
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LID Rebates – over $2M distributed to date, next cycle September 2019
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LID School Grants – over $330K distributed to date, next cycle January 2020
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San Antonio River Basin Low Impact Development Technical Design Guidance Manual
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Free Download at www.sara-tx.org
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Coming Soon: Second Edition
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Credentialing Program
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LID Construction Inspection
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LID Annual Inspection & Maintenance
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Coming Soon: LID Site Planning and Design
- Tailored training, presentations and tours upon request
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More information can be found on the River Authority
website.
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The Code Interpretations (CI) listed below are new; to learn more, select the link.
This CI clarifies when fire sprinkler floor control valve assemblies are required for certain multi-story buildings.
This CI defines an acceptable location regarding accessibility for fire sprinkler floor control valves.
This CI clarifies what additional fire sprinkler review documents are needed for retail/shell shopping centers with non-combustible building projections under which no combustibles are stored.
This CI clarifies when an exhaust hood with an associated suppression system is required for newly permitted mobile food establishments (food trucks).
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For a complete list of resources, visit the following sites:
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Performance Measures & Permit Report
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Performance Measures
The performance measures report is available
online
.
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Job Opportunities:
If you are interested in joining our department, apply
online
.
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For new hires and certification
news
, click
here
.
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