CODE OF VIRGINIA

EXPEDITED LAND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURE (§ 15.2-851)

A. A county may establish, by ordinance, a separate processing procedure for the
review of preliminary and final subdivision and site plans and other development
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 special training in such
county’s land development ordinances and regulations. The purpose of such
separate review procedure is to provide a procedure to expedite the
county’s review of certain qualified land development plans. If a separate
procedure is established, the county shall establish within the adopted
ordinance the criteria for qualification of persons and whose work is eligible
to use the separate procedure as well as a procedure for determining if the
qualifications are met by persons applying to use the separate procedure.
Persons who satisfy the criteria of subsection B below shall qualify as plans
examiners. Plans reviewed and recommended for submission by plans examiners and
certified by the appropriately licensed professional engineer, architect,
landscape architect or land surveyor shall qualify for the separate processing
procedure.

B. The qualifications of those persons who may participate in this program shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:

   1.  A bachelor of science degree in engineering, architecture, landscape
   architecture or related science or equivalent experience or a land surveyor
   certified 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 experience
   acceptable to the county.

   4.  Attendance at continuing educational courses specified by the county.

   5.  Consistent preparation and submission of plans which meet all applicable
   ordinances and regulations.

C. If an expedited review procedure is adopted by the board of supervisors
pursuant to this section, the board of supervisors shall establish an advisory
plans examiner board which shall make recommendations to the board of
supervisors on the general operation of the program, on the general
qualifications of those who may participate in the expedited processing
procedure, on initial and continuing educational programs needed to qualify and
maintain qualification for such a program, and on the general administration and
operation of such a program. In addition, the plans examiner board shall submit
recommendations to the board of supervisors as to those persons who meet the
established qualifications for participation in the program and as to whether
those persons who have previously qualified to participate in the program should
be disqualified, suspended or otherwise disciplined. The plans examiner board
shall consist of six members who shall be appointed by the board of supervisors
for staggered four-year terms. Initial terms may be less than four years so as
to provide for staggered terms. The plans examiner board shall consist of three
persons in private practice as licensed professional engineers or land surveyors
certified pursuant to § 54.1-408, at least one of whom shall be a certified
land surveyor; one person employed by the county government; one person employed
by the Virginia Department of Transportation who shall serve as a nonvoting
advisory member; and one citizen member. All plans examiner board members who
serve as licensed engineers or as certified surveyors must maintain their
professional license or certification as a condition of holding office, and all
such persons shall have at least two years of experience in land development
procedures of the county. The citizen member shall meet the qualifications
provided in § 54.1-107. However, such member, notwithstanding the proscription
of provision (i) of § 54.1-107, shall have training as an engineer or surveyor
and may be currently licensed, certified or practicing his profession.

D. The expedited land development program shall include an educational program
conducted under the auspices of a state institution of higher education. The
instructors in the educational program shall consist of persons in the private
and public sectors who are qualified to prepare land development plans. The
educational program shall include the comprehensive and detailed study of county
ordinances and regulations relating to plans and how they are applied.

E. The separate processing system may include a review of selected or random
aspects of plans rather than a detailed review of all aspects. However, it shall
also include periodic detailed review of plans prepared by persons who qualify
for the system.

F. In no event shall this section relieve persons who prepare and submit plans
of the responsibilities and obligations which they would otherwise have with
regard to the preparation of plans, nor shall it relieve the county of its
obligation to review other plans in the time periods and manner prescribed by
law.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 735, § 15.1-783.01; 1990, c. 822; 1997, c. 587; 2009, c. 309.