A new Santa Barbara County Grand Jury report is critical of an agency which oversees planning, development, and building safety.
The Grand Jury says the city of Santa Barbara’s Community Development Department projects a no-growth attitude and that the permit process can be too long.
It claims there is an inconsistent application of building codes by staff and that the work flow between the agency’s divisions is sometimes inefficient.
The Grand Jury is calling for the Community Development Department to develop plans to improve efficiency and teamwork. It also says the city needs to take a more active role in addressing the issues with the agency.