Ask any business owner what one of most dreaded tasks was to turn their initial business concept into a reality, and many might shudder at the mention of the permitting process.
Fear not: there’s an easier and more accessible solution than one might originally think.
OpenCounter, a San Francisco-based software firm, has been streamlining the permitting process and promoting economic development since its incubation at Code for America in 2012.
The software application allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to understand the costs and requirements of starting a business in their local community including how the zoning ordinance will impact their site selection, allow homeowners to stay compliant during improvement projects, and guide event planners through the process of putting on large public events.
All brick-and-mortar business owners are required to file permits, and now the city has a great resource to help get started in the process.
The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg Counter were introduced to the software concept after a consultant recommended the implementation of a business wizard to help guide new businesses through the complexities of the permitting process and aid in economic growth.
In September of 2017, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County took the OpenCounter platform live with business and zoning portal access for business owners within Mecklenburg County. This free resource uses natural language devoid of jargon so people of all backgrounds can easily access all necessary information.
The business and zoning portals include an intelligent land use search, intuitive zoning maps, automatic permit scoping, real-time fee calculation, and a summary page that outlines exactly what permit applications and next steps are needed. Currently, the software acts as the only place where both city and county permits and fees reside in one centralized location.
The city hopes to increase awareness surrounding the selection of free resources available for Charlotte residents. Cate Marshall, Associate Planner with the city of Charlotte, commented, “The City and County’s collective goal is to streamline the permitting process and make it easier for our customers to navigate. OpenCounter is an integral part of making that dream a reality. Often, interacting with City or County government can be daunting for small businesses and many people aren’t sure where to go or what questions to ask. OpenCounter puts the power in the hands of our customers and enables them to make key business decisions based on the full scope of information.”
OpenCounter is also a confidential tool, so none of the initial information entered into the portal to see next steps and estimated costs is reviewed until it is officially submitted. And the software also translates seamlessly into over 36 different languages so there’s no language barrier for usage.
Beyond this software resource, the city also recently announced its enhanced development services, including the CLT Development Center. Located on the first floor of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, this office is a space for both developers and design teams to access city staff in a single location for development permitting services.
If you’re interested in learning more about the other resources the city of Charlotte provides for businesses, visit www.charlottebusinessresources.com. For more information on OpenCounter or the CLT Development Center, visit www.charlottenc.gov/developmentcenter.
Photo courtesy of Daniel McCullough
