Growing pains create Austin building permit backlogs

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It doesn't take much to tell that Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, but keeping up with the growth is proving to be a challenge.

Requests for building permits are up double digits, but keeping up with the demand is leading to delays in projects getting the green light.
 
Permits are supposed to be approved within 21 days, but right now they're hitting that deadline only about half the time.

Those delays mean lost money for developer and lost jobs for builders. In May of this year, Kari Levassar and Beth Dukleth came up with the idea to open up a Pilates studio in Austin, but they quickly realized it would be more difficult than expected.

"Our thought was we'd get the permit and six weeks later you're open, but that's definitely not the case," said Levassar, co-owner of Pilates South Austin. "It's taken a long time to get from point A to point B starting with the permitting."

The city has a mandatory 21-day period to approve building permits, but right now they only meet that deadline half the time.

To alleviate some of the backlog, just this year they hired three new employees, but business owners, contractors, and developers say it's not enough compared to the money they're losing every day.

"We've definitely heard those stories where people actually go out of business before they even open," said Dukleth, co-owner of Pilates South Austin.

The city's Planning and Development Department only has 16 employees to handle permitting. Officials said they're working overtime to keep up with the demand.

Earlier this year Mayor Lee Leffingwell suggested bringing in contract workers to help clear the permit backlog.

"I think they're trying -- there's just so much growth here in Austin right now that they're trying to catch up," said Dukleth.

The P&D Department says the amount of time it takes to complete the permits depends on the complexity of the project. They're also hoping that with their new hires, over time the backlog will diminish.

As for Levassar and Dukleth, although they have been paying rent for nearly six months without their business actually open, they're still hoping to welcome customers through their doors soon.

"I think we will realistically be open mid- to late November," said Levassar, as she crossed her fingers.