Permits don’t have to feel like a maze. We sit down with Christopher “Topher” Barnes, Henderson’s Development Services Manager, to pull back the curtain on how projects move from idea to inspection inside a true one-stop shop. From centralizing building, fire, planning, public works, and mapping to a clear 3-2-1 review timeline, Topher explains how coordination beats silos and why predictable service targets save time and money for everyone involved.

You’ll hear how the team went fully digital in four days, built a virtual counter for small-scope permits with next-day feedback, and still kept space for in-person conversations when nuance matters. We dig into pre-submittal meetings, early issue-spotting, and what triggers code changes when a concept shifts—like adding live performance or increasing occupancy. Topher also shares how an in-house analyst group powers the portal, dashboards, and benchmarks that help the Center deliver 95 to 98 percent on-time reviews.

We talk fiscal stewardship and transparency, including how the enterprise fund model, a year-long cost of service study, and an industry advisory committee keep fees fair and performance accountable. Then we look ahead: adaptive reuse using the Existing Building Code, the realities of EV infrastructure and solar, and how the team vets new technologies without sacrificing safety. The takeaway is practical and optimistic—bring your project to the table early, lean on the one-stop model, and use the digital tools to keep momentum.

If this helped demystify permitting, follow the show, share it with a teammate who’s planning a build-out, and leave a quick review so more builders and business owners can find it.

If you’ve ever wondered how a city turns a sketch on paper into a place you can actually visit, this one’s for you. We sit down with Henderson’s current planning manager, Andy Roether, to unpack the real machinery of city planning—what “entitlements” are, why timelines can be fast without being sloppy, and how a team of planners acts more like project managers and translators than bureaucrats with a stamp. We get practical about the entire journey: checklists that spell out exactly what to submit, public hearing notices that bring neighbors into the loop, and the judgment calls that determine when to slow down for community conversations. Andy shares the inside track on digitizing the process—from online portals and GIS mapping to the quality control challenges that come with reviewing thousands of pages at once—and how Henderson keeps improving by borrowing smart ideas from peer cities and industry groups. Zoning takes center stage with a clear, no-jargon breakdown: commercial, residential, industrial, mixed-use, and why intensity and compatibility matter. We explore national trends like upzoning and the push for more flexible housing, then bring it back home to Henderson’s unique context, rural character, and infrastructure realities. We also hit a spicy topic—parking—and make the case for quality over quantity with safer walkways, smarter layouts, and shade that actually works in desert heat. Underneath it all is a simple promise: planning should build community. That means walkability, comfort, and places people love, balanced with a process that respects both businesses and neighbors. Hear how Henderson’s planners see themselves as referees—keeping the game fair, the rules clear, and the plays moving—while inviting more voices into the conversation. If you care about how your city grows and how quickly your project can open its doors, you’ll find tools, tips, and a candid look at what works. Enjoyed this deep dive? Subscribe, share with a friend who’s planning a project, and leave a review to tell us what topic we should explore next.

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with the creator behind Chez Panise to explore the story of a lifelong dream rising in the warmth of a family kitchen. From the comforting smell of fresh-baked cookies after school to the Sunday cakes that shaped a love for dessert—carrot, Chantilly, chocolate—our guest shares how childhood moments became the foundation of a future bakery-café.

Holidays brought flaky pies, meringue-topped Yule logs, and tins of beautifully decorated cookies, but they also brought inspiration. Encouraged by a mother who saw her talent early on, she began to imagine a place of her own. Over the years, that dream blended with a growing appreciation for simple, high-quality ingredients and, later, the realities of raising two children with significant food allergies. These experiences deepened her commitment to low-ingredient, nutritious, preservative-free food made with intention and care.

Now, she stands on the brink of opening Chez Panise—a bakery-café built on family memories, quality ingredients, and a passion for bringing people together. More than a place to enjoy delicious baked goods and lunch boxes, it’s a space designed to help the community fall in love with honest, comforting food meant to be shared with the people you love.

Tune in as we tell the story of how a childhood joy becomes a community treasure.