Commercial Development Committee Establish 2023 Goals and Seek Industry Recommendations for Process Improvements

In January, the Commercial Development Committee convened to prioritize 2023 goals, elect a new Chair and Vice-Chair, and receive updates on stakeholder projects. Discussions also focused on market conditions, economic headwinds, and global influences that impact building industry supplies and services at the local level.

Mike Garcia, NOVA Building Industry Association appointee, and Gary Gardner, National Association of Office and Industrial Properties appointee, were re-elected as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.

Speaking on his reinstatement as Chair, Mike Garcia said: “It is an honor to be re-elected by industry member peers and charged with achieving the Committee’s mission in 2023. As we face more challenges in the building industry, it is more critical than ever before to work together, identify opportunities for improvement, and affect change that supports a thriving community.”

During the meeting, the Committee agreed and adopted 2023 goals, as follows: 

2023 Committee Goals

• Review and make recommendations to the Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM), Section 600 Transportation Systems, as it relates to the newly adopted Comprehensive Plan.
• Review and make recommendations to the DCSM Section 300, Fire Safety Systems, as it relates to the newly adopted Comprehensive Plan.
• Working Group Sub-Committee to provide As-Built Plan process improvement recommendations.
• Working Group Sub-Committee to provide Site Plan process improvement recommendations.
• Provide recommendations to the Zoning Ordinance Text Change for Commercial Real Estate Signs.
• Review and assess Dirt Hauling issues between permitted sites.

While sharing the Department of Development Services 2022 results, which exceeded annual projections and prior year results, Wade A. Hugh, director, remarked “We continuously strive to provide high-quality services that ensure public safety. By working together to define clear, predictable, and measurable development processes, we are supporting customer-centric service delivery.”

2022 Key Highlights

• 12,891 Building Plan Submissions were approved in 2022, up by 2,851, providing insight to increased performance workloads.
• 385 small business owners “Opened for Business”, which is a record high.
• 1,500 customers milestone attained by the Small Business Project Management Program.
• 97 Building Plan Reviews for Tenant Layout Plans in 1HFY2022, up three from the same time last year.
• Seven new major commercial structures in 1HFY2022, representing projects that bring in revenue.

Industry members, county staff, and other attendees gathered in the meeting received project updates, as follows:

Stakeholder Project Teams

• The DCSM Section 600 review is moving forward following the recent completion and adoption of the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan, which includes a new shared vision for Land Use, Housing, Mobility, Electrical Utility Services, and Sanitary Sewer throughout the county. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Paolo Belita, Regional Manager, Department of Transportation at [email protected].
• Zoning Ordinance Text Change Amendments for Drive-Through Uses and Curbside Pick-Up, Industrial Parking and Use Regulations, and Commercial Sign Regulations are underway, with draft language to be presented to the DCSM/Zoning Advisory Committee. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Emilie Wolfson, Senior Planner, the Planning Office at [email protected].
• The Proposed FY2024 Development Services Fee Schedule includes a six percent increase in Building, an eight percent increase for Fire, and ten percent for Land.
• Building Development staff shared that a new policy has been drafted for Building Inspection orders and will be presented to industry members in February. A significant change to the policy ensures all inspections are completed before a final building inspection.
• Last year, the Land Development Division launched numerous application forms online in ePortal. All submission applications are expected to be online by summer 2023.

The next Committee meeting will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Meetings are open to the public. Visit https://www.pwcva.gov/department/development-services/commercial-development-committee for more information.