Please place on the February 22, 2023 City Commission agenda a dual referral to PSNQLC and FERC to consider working with Miami-Dade County to break the logjam and delays for City businesses waiting on DERM approvals for the issuance of BTRs, or residential or commercial construction or renovation projects requiring DERM approval.
A common complaint I receive from residents and businesses is that they can’t get a City permit or BTR because of a DERM hold up. We nearly always have to answer that the issue is with DERM and is outside our control, which means our residents and businesses are left to fend for themselves. As a result, City businesses can’t open and construction is delayed, and we as a City get blamed, even though the issue lies with DERM. To resolve this, I think the City should consider funding a position within DERM to be exclusively dedicated to assisting City residents and businesses with their DERM issues.
As part of this referral, I would ask the Chairs of the respective committees to take this item up as part of the ongoing reviews relating to the City’s overall permitting requirements and procedures, and I would also ask that the Administration’s consultant review this proposal as well and provide specific recommendations for how a position like this could help improve the overall nightmare of getting a DERM permit or other approval. Finally, I would ask that funding for a position be prioritized as part of the annual budget process.