Special permits for development in Richardson will now be automatically revoked under certain circumstances. A change to the city's comprehensive zoning ordinance, approved March 18 by City Council, puts into motion the termination of special permits if other required documents, such as building permits or certificates of occupancy, are not obtained within six months. The policy also revokes special permits when the required documents are obtained but the property owner fails to begin construction or commence business within six months. The same applies to businesses that remain closed for six months or longer. The move is part of a larger effort to prevent the buildup of inactive or obsolete special permits. Over 100 of these permits were identified by city staff in recent months, and on April 1, City Council will hold a joint public hearing with the city planning commission to hear from property owners whose permits are at risk for repeal. Termination of the permits will happen in two phases. The first 69 special permits will be revoked following the public hearing. The balance would be taken care of as part of the Collins-Arapaho Transit-Oriented Development rezoning process already scheduled to take place in November and December.