Economic Develoopment Committee

Dallas Leaders Challenge Economic Development Department to ‘Hustle’ in Recruiting New Business

By April Towery / January 30, 2024 /

The Dallas Economic Development Policy identifies ambitious goals toward streamlined incentives and more diverse housing options — and one year after the policy was implemented, city leaders say they’re ready to see some big results.  Economic Development Director Robin Bentley and Assistant Director Heather Lepeska shared an update on the 10-year policy at a council…

Dallas Looks at Merits of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Efficiency in Development Services Department

By April Towery / November 22, 2023 /

Altamonte Springs, California, recently became the first U.S. city to implement artificial intelligence for site plan reviews, and the initiative has caught the attention of Dallas leaders looking for ways to improve the permitting process in the Development Services Department.  It took Development Services Director Andrew Espinoza over a year to clear a permit backlog…

City to Charge For Parking in Farmers Market Tax Increment Financing District

By April Towery / October 13, 2023 /

Those who spend more than two consecutive hours strolling around the Dallas Farmers Market will now have to pay for parking, per action taken last week by the City Council’s Economic Development Committee.  After the first two hours of free parking at the Dallas Farmers Market, patrons will be charged $3 per additional hour with…

Dallas City Council Wants Commercial Building Permits to Start at ‘Yes’ to Avoid Third-Party Review

By April Towery / September 19, 2023 /

In the wake of new legislation that allows builders to hire their own third-party reviewer if permits aren’t issued within 45 days, the Dallas City Council’s Economic Development Committee told the Development Services Department last week to continue prioritizing faster service, particularly for commercial permits.  In a Sept. 6 committee meeting, District 1 Councilman Chad…