15.2-851 - Expedited land development review procedure.
§ 15.2-851. Expedited land development review procedure.
A. A county may establish, by ordinance, a separate processing procedure forthe review of preliminary and final subdivision and site plans and otherdevelopment plans certified by licensed professional engineers, architects,landscape architects and land surveyors who are also licensed pursuant to §54.1-408 and recommended for submission by persons who have received specialtraining in such county's land development ordinances and regulations. Thepurpose of such separate review procedure is to provide a procedure toexpedite the county's review of certain qualified land development plans. Ifa separate procedure is established, the county shall establish within theadopted ordinance the criteria for qualification of persons and whose work iseligible to use the separate procedure as well as a procedure for determiningif the qualifications are met by persons applying to use the separateprocedure. Persons who satisfy the criteria of subsection B below shallqualify as plans examiners. Plans reviewed and recommended for submission byplans examiners and certified by the appropriately licensed professionalengineer, architect, landscape architect or land surveyor shall qualify forthe separate processing procedure.
B. The qualifications of those persons who may participate in this programshall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. A bachelor of science degree in engineering, architecture, landscapearchitecture or related science or equivalent experience or a land surveyorcertified pursuant to § 54.1-408.
2. Successful completion of an educational program specified by the county.
3. A minimum of two years of land development engineering design experienceacceptable to the county.
4. Attendance at continuing educational courses specified by the county.
5. Consistent preparation and submission of plans which meet all applicableordinances and regulations.
C. If an expedited review procedure is adopted by the board of supervisorspursuant to this section, the board of supervisors shall establish anadvisory plans examiner board which shall make recommendations to the boardof supervisors on the general operation of the program, on the generalqualifications of those who may participate in the expedited processingprocedure, on initial and continuing educational programs needed to qualifyand maintain qualification for such a program, and on the generaladministration and operation of such a program. In addition, the plansexaminer board shall submit recommendations to the board of supervisors as tothose persons who meet the established qualifications for participation inthe program and as to whether those persons who have previously qualified toparticipate in the program should be disqualified, suspended or otherwisedisciplined. The plans examiner board shall consist of six members who shallbe appointed by the board of supervisors for staggered four-year terms.Initial terms may be less than four years so as to provide for staggeredterms. The plans examiner board shall consist of three persons in privatepractice as licensed professional engineers or land surveyors certifiedpursuant to § 54.1-408, at least one of whom shall be a certified landsurveyor; one person employed by the county government; one person employedby the Virginia Department of Transportation who shall serve as a nonvotingadvisory member; and one citizen member. All plans examiner board members whoserve as licensed engineers or as certified surveyors must maintain theirprofessional license or certification as a condition of holding office, andall such persons shall have at least two years of experience in landdevelopment procedures of the county. The citizen member shall meet thequalifications provided in § 54.1-107. However, such member, notwithstandingthe proscription of provision (i) of § 54.1-107, shall have training as anengineer or surveyor and may be currently licensed, certified or practicinghis profession.
D. The expedited land development program shall include an educationalprogram conducted under the auspices of a state institution of highereducation. The instructors in the educational program shall consist ofpersons in the private and public sectors who are qualified to prepare landdevelopment plans. The educational program shall include the comprehensiveand detailed study of county ordinances and regulations relating to plans andhow they are applied.
E. The separate processing system may include a review of selected or randomaspects of plans rather than a detailed review of all aspects. However, itshall also include periodic detailed review of plans prepared by persons whoqualify for the system.
F. In no event shall this section relieve persons who prepare and submitplans of the responsibilities and obligations which they would otherwise havewith regard to the preparation of plans, nor shall it relieve the county ofits obligation to review other plans in the time periods and mannerprescribed by law.
(1989, c. 735, § 15.1-783.01; 1990, c. 822; 1997, c. 587; 2009, c. 309.)