2006 Code of Virginia § 15.2-2263 - Expedited land development review procedure

15.2-2263. Expedited land development review procedure.

A. Any county having a population between 80,000 and 90,000 or between212,000 and 216,000 may establish, by ordinance, a separate processingprocedure for the review of preliminary and final subdivision and site plansand other development plans certified by licensed professional engineers,architects, certified landscape architects and land surveyors who are alsolicensed pursuant to 54.1-408 and recommended for submission by persons whohave received special training in the county's land development ordinancesand regulations. The purpose of the separate review procedure is to provide aprocedure to expedite the county's review of certain qualified landdevelopment plans. If a separate procedure is established, the county shallestablish within the adopted ordinance the criteria for qualification ofpersons and whose work is eligible to use the separate procedure as well as aprocedure for determining if the qualifications are met by persons applyingto use the separate procedure. Persons who satisfy the criteria of subsectionB below shall qualify as plans examiners. Plans reviewed and recommended forsubmission by plans examiners and certified by the appropriately licensedprofessional engineer, architect, certified landscape architect or landsurveyor shall qualify for the 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 the authority granted by this section, the board of supervisorsshall establish an advisory plans examiner board which shall makerecommendations to the board of supervisors on the general operation of theprogram, on the general qualifications of those who may participate in theexpedited processing procedure, on initial and continuing educationalprograms needed to qualify and maintain qualification for such a program andon the general administration and operation of the program. In addition, theplans examiner board shall submit recommendations to the board of supervisorsas to those persons who meet the established qualifications for participationin the program, and the plans examiner board shall submit recommendations asto whether those persons who have previously qualified to participate in theprogram should be disqualified, suspended or otherwise disciplined. The plansexaminer board shall consist of six members who shall be appointed by theboard of supervisors for staggered four-year terms. Initial terms may be lessthan four years so as to provide for staggered terms. The plans examinerboard shall consist of three persons in private practice as licensedprofessional engineers or land surveyors certified pursuant to 54.1-408, atleast one of whom shall be a certified land surveyor; one person employed bythe county government; one person employed by the Virginia Department ofTransportation who shall serve as a nonvoting advisory member; and onecitizen member. All members of the board who serve as licensed engineers oras certified surveyors must maintain their professional license orcertification as a condition of holding office and shall have at least twoyears of experience in land development procedures of the county. The citizenmember of the board shall meet the qualifications provided in 54.1-107 and,notwithstanding the proscription of clause (i) of 54.1-107, shall havetraining as an engineer or surveyor and may be currently licensed, certifiedor practicing his 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 a periodic detailed review of plans prepared by personswho qualify 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.

(1991, c. 444, 15.1-501.1; 1997, c. 587.)