(Photo by Giles Douglas - CC BY 2.0)

House under construction.

The Phoenix Planning and Development Department wants to hire 19 people to keep up with growth.

Since 2010, Director Alan Stephenson says development has steadily increased, and he needs more staff to handle the workload and meet customer expectations.

During Tuesday's Neighborhoods, Housing and Development Subcommittee meeting, Stephenson told council members the department eliminated approximately two-thirds of its positions during the recession.

According to the department, single-family home permits have increased 38 percent compared to last year, and they are also seeing increases in home remodels and new subdivisions.

The subcommittee will recommend that the full council approve the request to hire 19 positions with salaries to be paid through permits and fees.