Are you following the construction of the addition to your next-door neighbor's house?  Curious about the new parking lot being put in at a nearby church?  Interested in the development of a new retail center in your area?  The Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Division has launched a new feature on its Web site which will provide more details for not only planners and developers, but all individuals searching for development and permitting information. 

After receiving input from community members, homeowners' association groups and county officials, the Jefferson County Planning & Zoning staff created a searchable database of development applications submitted and completed within unincorporated areas of the county. 

By logging on to http://planning.jeffco.us and selecting the "General Info" link on the left-hand side of the screen, then selecting "Jeffco Permit Search" citizens will be able to access and search for more detailed development and permitting information that had previously been unavailable online, including preliminary applications that have been submitted but have not been formally accepted by the county.

"Jefferson County is one of the first counties in the metro area to make this type of information available to citizens online," said Development & Transportation Director Tim Carl.  "People can search for permits and development applications in a real-time system.  All the information they need is available at their fingertips."

Information is available on development applications, including preliminary applications, rezoning, final plats and site development plans and more.  Permitting information on items such as buildings, on-site wastewater, retail food and special events also is included.  The details provided include the status of applications submitted, the name of the applicant, the name of the case manager and where the property is located.  In addition, a real-time mapping system will map out the exact location of the property being viewed.

Searches on permitting information can be done county-wide for unincorporated areas or narrowed down to specific areas within the unincorporated portions of the county.  Reports can also be generated showing the type and number of permits issued in the county. 
In the coming months the Planning & Zoning Division hopes to expand these online capabilities to give citizens additional access to information.