Permitting Process Improvements For Achieving Community Vision and Shared Goals

Session 2B | Wednesday | 4:15 – 5:30 PM (PT)

About the Session

At the City of Seattle or any other jurisdiction, everything we do should be aligned with the overall community vision and goals. This is especially crucial now when changes of historical significance have been happening. While permitting is about meeting codes and protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment and public safety, it is essential that permitting strongly contributes to overarching community goals in partnership with customers, e.g., enhancing diversity, providing high-level customer service, increasing housing stock, and reinvigorating our streets and public spaces. We plan to share permitting process improvements at the City of Seattle in working toward achieving common goals. Moreover, we will facilitate an interactive discussion among session attendees on how permitting can play the role of achieving the overarching vision and goals of local jurisdictions.

About the Moderator

Lei Wu, AICP, PE

Seattle Department of Transportation

With over 25 years of experience in the transportation field, Lei's experience spans the complete project development process including master transportation planning, corridor and area studies, design, and operations. In addition, Lei has worked on organizational analysis and process improvement projects. As the Operations Section Manager with Street Use at the Seattle Department of Transportation, Lei supervises permitting major street improvement and underground utility construction activities in streets. In her current role, Lei focuses on process improvements and practice refinements for high-level services, equity, and sustainability.

About the Speakers

Ty Heimerl

Seattle Department of Transportation

Ty Heimerl has worked for SDOT and in the urban and transportation planning field for 8 years. He is currently working as a Public Space Reviewer for The Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use Division. Ty has a bachelor's in Geography and GIS from West Virginia University.

Eric Berglind

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, PROSCI Change Management Practitioner, MBA

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection

Eric Berglind is a value-driven professional, continually focused on delivering data & human-driven results to both internal and external customers. Eric's career includes four years of innovating and improving financial performance in the defense industry prior to attending his MBA at Babson College. Following his graduate studies he entered the energy efficiency industry developing new product opportunities in partnership with sales, marketing & engineering functions. He currently resides in the greater Seattle area promoting successful technology and process improvement adoption with the City of Seattle.

Branin Burdette

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Branin Burdette has over 25 years experience in both the land use and transportation planning field. Branin is currently a Senior Planner for the Seattle Department of Construction of Inspections. Previously, he worked as the SDOT Street Use DevelopmentSupervisor and Zoning Director for Newton County, Georgia. Branin is currently focused on planning for Seattle Center’s future improvements, as well as, being SDCI’s liaison for permitting work with Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks & Recreation. Branin has a Bachelor of Arts degree; one in Environmental Planning from Western Washington University and a teaching certificate from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.

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