Public Hearing: Recommendations of the Marin County Regulatory Improvements Advisory Committee (RIAC)

In May 2012, the Marin County Board of Supervisors directed the Community Development Agency (CDA) to form a group of citizens to identify and evaluate strategies for facilitating the review of development projects in the unincorporated county that are consistent with the Countywide Plan and other important land use regulations. The group is referred to as the Regulatory Improvements Advisory Committee (RIAC). The Committee has also considered different approaches to implementing key programs in the Countywide Plan that affect the development review process as well as adjustments in development review fees for projects that support broad community-based goals of the County. The Committee’s focus has been on identifying options for improving the efficiency of the CDA’s permit review process and assisting customers in that regard. MCL 1st VP Nona Dennis is a Committee member.

Facilitated by Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. and CDA staff, the Committee has been meeting on a regular basis since October 2012 to develop a draft report with recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. A public workshop to present the work program and receive public comment was held in March 2013. A community survey was also conducted during this time.

The Committee recently completed a report with their findings to help inform the County’s future efforts to improve its development review process. A copy of the report can be found here.