Washington County planners’ policy change lengthens cycle

FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County planners will review proposed building projects every five weeks instead of every four weeks, Senior Planner Nathan Crouch said.

The Washington County Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustments approved the policy change during a regular meeting earlier this month. The new schedule will allow staff members to review and engineers to make changes to proposed projects, then notify neighbors before the board meeting, Crouch said.

The next technical, staff review meeting is Tuesday. The planning board meets next on Jan. 11.

At least one project changed significantly between when neighbors were notified about the proposal and changes submitted to staff for the second review, Crouch said. Neighbors came to the public meeting with the information originally submitted, he said.

Planners will have five days, instead of three, to submit changes before a second review, Crouch said. That means people proposing projects will have more time to gather information and get necessary permits from the state Health and Environmental Quality departments, he said.

The change may reduce neighbor concerns and cut down on items tabled or withdrawn at the last minute. Staff members would get a little breathing room, especially during the summer months, when the number of permit requests is high, Crouch said. During winter, they will use the extra time to investigate violations, conduct site visits and otherwise improve the department, he said.

The Planning Department notified engineering firms about the change and received no complaints, Crouch said.

The change is not expected to hurt business or change anything for Blew & Associates, said Amanda Hallmark, administrative assistant for the engineering company in Fayetteville. The firm frequently brings projects through the Planning Department.

“We’re pretty neutral on it,” Hallmark said.