[Adopted 5-13-2008 by Ord. No. 086-08[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Art. XXVII, Planning Coordinator, adopted 1-19-1971 by Ord.
No. 626-70, as amended.
[Amended 10-3-2017 by Ord. No. 237-2017]
There is hereby established the Department of Community Development
under the supervision and direction of the Executive Director of Community
Development and Planning appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation
of the Council. The Department shall consist of four divisions: the
Economic Development Division; the Housing and Development Division;
the Building and Zoning Division; and the Planning Division. The Department
will serve as the chief planning and economic development agency of
the City with responsibility for reviewing all of the planning tools
of the City, including the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Board regulations,
and regulations of the Conservation Commission; studying, making recommendations
for and facilitating the appropriate creation of housing and economic
facilities to further the housing interests and needs of the City
and its vigorous economic development; performing long-term planning
for the needs of the City in coordination with other departments and
divisions, boards and commissions of the City; making recommendations
for changes in policy, ordinances and cooperation with the nongovernmental
sector to further the appropriate growth of the City. The Department
will provide support services to the Planning Board, the Board of
Zoning Appeals, the Conservation Commission and such other boards,
commissions, divisions and departments as the Mayor may from time
to time assign. The Department will develop and implement to the maximum
extent feasible a uniform, single, simple and coordinated application
process for businesses doing business, or seeking to do business,
in the City to assist in obtaining inspections, approvals and other
permits and authorizations as may be needed to do business within
the City.
There is hereby established the Division of
Planning as a division of the Department of Community Development.
The Division of Planning shall be under the supervision of the Director
of Planning appointed by the Director of Community Development. The
Director shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Public Works and
shall serve as support for the boards and commissions of the City
having need for municipal planning services.
There is hereby established the Division of
Housing and Development within the Department of Community Development.
The Division shall have as its primary purpose the improvement of
the housing conditions and community development needs of the City
and its neighborhoods. Toward that end, it shall apply for, administer,
and implement grants and programs which are directed toward, but not
limited to, improvements to public facilities, parks, playgrounds,
streetscapes, housing, public services and economic development of
the City. It shall apply for and administer funds and programs designed
to improve or create housing within the City and improvements to the
neighborhoods of the City.
There is hereby established a Division of Economic
Development within the Department of Community Development. The Division
shall have as its prime focus the purpose of expanding and strengthening
the City's economy and that of the region to the extent it serves
the needs of the City. It may: work with private businesses and coordinate
their activities to further the economic interests, needs and development
of the City; market and promote the City; establish relationships
with private businesses and nonprofit organizations to encourage the
development of businesses in the City and for expanding work, business,
recreational and social opportunities for local residents; conduct
research into industrial conditions and needs, investigate and assist
in the establishment of educational or commercial projects, including
projects involving private enterprise; keep informed of programs and
financial or other assistance available from the public and private
sector; and develop and improve the City's website, advertise, prepare,
print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets which in its
judgment will further the purposes for which it is established.
[Amended 6-3-2014 by Ord. No. 100-2014]
There is hereby established the Building and
Zoning Division within the Department of Community Development under
the direction of the Building Commissioner whose responsibilities
include enforcing the State Building Code[1] and the Zoning Ordinance of the City,[2] making recommendations to the Mayor, Council and Planning
Division about zoning matters, and supervising the local building
inspectors under his or her jurisdiction, including the Electrical
Inspector and the Plumbing Inspector.
The responsibilities of the Building and Zoning Division shall be: to coordinate the inspection functions carried out by the department; to maintain all records relating to inspections in a central place through a common index; to develop a process for coordinated permit applications and to help applicants understand the application process for the permits, orders of conditions, licenses, certificates, authorizations, registrations, plan approvals, zoning relief, determinations, or other approvals needed for the use or development of land, buildings or structures required by state or local law, including zoning, building code subdivision control, wetlands protection, and protection of public health; to perform those duties described in the statutes of the commonwealth and Chapter 7 of this Code.
