Commercial developers to see faster approvals

By Cheryl Chumley

Published: May 21, 2008

A new plan will go far toward countering perceptions that Prince William is a county that throws roadblocks in the path of commercial developers, according to a staff presentation to supervisors on Tuesday.

The pilot BUILD Initiative in Commercial Development Services kicks off in the coming weeks, and by August, it should be determined whether the goal of an improved permitting process has been met, said Susan Roltsch, assistant county executive.

"We hear about this all the time—the difficulty some businesses have expanding," said Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large. "I'm glad to see you have a fairly aggressive timetable."

The initiative calls for the establishment of a group of "process facilitators," according to documents presented to the board, who provide developers a "single point of contact" to address permitting issues.

Team members are basically tasked with ensuring applicants aren't burdened with redundant and unnecessary directives from the various county departments involved in the permitting process—a scenario that has "been a stickler for some time," said Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, R-Dumfries.

Specifically, Roltsch described, team goals are to shorten the "time frame for project approval" and provide applicants a more predictable set of guidelines to follow. Ultimately, staff will also put to paper a Partnership Bill of Rights that solidifies these guidelines further, she said.

"This package … is very transformational," said Supervisor Frank Principi, D-Woodbridge. "I like the idea of the team."

By July, commercial developers submitting permits can expect to be processed through this new program; in August, supervisors will hear updates on how the pilot has progressed. The program is also aimed at speeding the process for residential permit applicants and with success, could eventually apply to special use and other types of permitting processes.

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.