Medicine Hat details progress on development approval improvements
City officials say a Continuous Improvement Program launched in 2024 has already produced a fully digital permitting system and quarterly reports on processing times.
The City of Medicine Hat's Planning and Development Services department has provided an update on its Continuous Improvement Program, launched in 2024 to make development approvals more predictable, transparent and user-friendly. Staff have been reviewing internal processes alongside regular operations to simplify steps, speed up services and strengthen tracking for applicants and the community.
Completed initiatives include weekly online postings of approved building permits, signage at sites with proposed rezonings, a free tool letting residents check business or contractor licences, and a customer survey to identify service gaps. The City has also implemented a fully digital permitting process, published quarterly reports on permit processing times, and set clearer steps for business licence and engineering reviews.
Other work remains underway, including improving application coordination, updating the occupancy permit process, and reviewing planning application payment procedures. Upcoming plans include developing project checklists for applicants, exploring artificial intelligence tools, and creating a plain-language service manual.
Conrad Westerson, manager of engineering and safety codes services, said the development process can feel overwhelming given its complexity and the varying familiarity applicants have with it. The City is asking residents, developers and business owners to submit feedback through an online survey, and says it will provide annual updates on the program's progress.
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