SURVEY TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS

SURVEY TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS

On-line Questionnaire Solicits Public Comments

Effort to Identify Obstacles and Propose Solutions that Improve City Procedures Related to Environmental Review Process, as Promised in State of the City

Environmental reviews are critical to the City's decision-making process in approving, rejecting or shaping development projects, and they reveal and propose ways to mitigate the environmental impacts of proposed development. The environmental review process solicits and requires the input of experts and the public to ensure a full and comprehensive vetting of a proposed project's impact. This survey could help the City to improve and expedite environmental review by identifying inefficiencies and proposing ways to improve the process - without compromising environmental protection standards or impeding public input. The survey solicits feedback on how projects should be prioritized and how agency resources should be allocated, as well as how the City might improve inter-agency coordination, the completion of timely and efficient analysis, and communication among City agencies, applicants and the public. The survey does not address changes to legislative policy, legal standards, analytical methodologies, or other planning processes, such as the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. It is part of the City's ongoing commitment to make government work more efficiently to facilitate responsible development, while at the same time improving, and ultimately strengthening, environmental protections.

Through the on-line questionnaire, the City is seeking input from stakeholders including applicants, developers, community members, civic groups, consulting firms, agencies, community boards and elected officials. Individuals with experience in the City's environmental review process are especially urged to participate.


To access the questionnaire, CLICK HERE. The questionnaire will be available on the website until May 22, 2009