Fairfax County planning officials say they have the resources to meet new, stricter turnaround requirements for submissions by property developers.
“We’ve already changed our process. We’re in compliance,” Jerry Stonefield, a Land Development Services staff member, told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a land use policy committee meeting last Tuesday (July 8).
A bill patroned by Del. Marcus Simon (D-13) earlier this year cut the amount of time local governments have to respond to submissions of subdivision plats and site plans by developers:
- Reduces the maximum time for localities to distribute copies of submitted plans to state agencies from 10 days to 5 days
- Reduces a locality’s review time for the first submission from 60 days to 40 days
- Reduces the review time for the first two resubmissions from 45 days to 30 days
- Requires planning agency directors to review any plans that require three or more resubmissions, and respond back to developers within 14 days
The legislation passed both houses of the Virginia General Assembly nearly unanimously and was signed without amendment by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on March 19.
According to Stonefield, the more restrictive turnaround times will have “very little effect” in some cases, but could impact certain reviews.
While current planning staff levels are sufficient to meet the new deadlines, it could be “a concern” if the county starts to receive more development plan submissions, he said.
The legislation also applies to state agencies, reducing the amount of time the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has to review the impact of development proposals from 45 days to 30.
The reduction in VDOT turnaround time pleased Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, who pointed to the state agency as a frequent culprit behind bureaucratic delays that hold up projects.
“Finding ways to be more efficient is a great thing,” Bierman said of forcing the state agency into a more limited review window.
Other supervisors agreed that streamlining the review process will be a net plus for both developers and the county.
“We want to assist any way we can,” Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity said.
The new law went into effect July 1, and Fairfax County’s zoning process has been updated to align with it, Stonefield said.
To make things official, the Board of Supervisors will need to ratify changes to the county’s zoning and subdivision ordinances. Public hearings and a vote are expected to occur later this summer, enabling the amendments to take effect in September.
The new legislation applies only to government agencies. There remains no deadline for developers to respond to requests for changes to submissions, or to provide additional information or documentation.
Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk said most property owners seeking zoning changes or other development approvals have learned to work with those well-versed in the county’s process.
“If you don’t have the right engineer, you’re going to have problems with the submission,” he said.
Photo via Pedro Miranda/Unsplash
