Commercial Development Committee Reports on Third Quarter CY2022 Activities & Accomplishments

“TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT” continues to be the most appropriate tagline for the Prince William County Commercial Development Committee. It represents our unwavering commitment to the community and best practices in everything we do, on behalf of industry and business owners in the County,” shared Mike Garcia, Chairman, Commercial Development Committee, Prince William County.

Working to implement recommendations across industry and government is a significant achievement which takes time and dedication, on all parts. A significant highlight over this past summer, was when the Committee’s partnership with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) delivered on reducing permit review timeframes for stormwater projects, down to one day vs. 30 days.

Committee meeting topics are chosen in consultation with County staff and other stakeholders. In its first priorities of the year, the Committee focused on creating recommendations in the following four areas:

2022 Goals

• Design Construction Standards Manual Section 600 Improvements
• Updated Zoning Ordinance Text for Commercial Real Estate Signs
• Bond Reduction/Release Process Improvements
• Virginia Stormwater Management Program – Permit Review Timeframe Process Improvements

Throughout the year, the Commercial Development Committee’s sub-committee groups met with site reviewers, planners, and engineers to cover all aspects to streamline processes, from codes, regulations, and quality controls, in their evaluation to determine recommendations.

During the October meeting, the Committee requested to review the draft language for the Commercial Real Estate Signs regulations and were provided Staff Reports for Drive-Thrus and Curbside Pick-Up, Industrial Parking and Use Regulations, and Commercial Sign Regulations.

Two other topics of focus for future discussion and recommendations, have since been added, which are: 

• Site Plan As-Built Review Process Requirements, Procedures, and Improvements; and
• Site-Plan Revision Requirements and Procedures.

Wade A. Hugh, Director, Department of Development Services shared, “The Commercial Development Committee is a valued public-private partnership that continues to step up and provide essential support to continuously refining recommendations and elevating the commercial development process.”

Each Quarter, County staff report on workload priorities and goals, providing the Committee with insight to future activities.  Below are some key highlights:

Key Performance Highlights (Q1FY2023)

• 12,115 Building Plan Submissions are projected by end of Calendar Year 2022, up 2,075, from the previous year
• 353 Occupancy Permits Issued for New Residential, up 100 for the same time last year
• 296 Small Business Owners ‘Opened for Business’ (Jan. – Sep. 2022)
• 65 Building Plan Review for Tenant Layout Plans, up 13 for the same time last year
• 5 New ‘Major’ Commercial Structures representing projects that bring in revenue

Additionally, County staff took proactive measures to manage and close over 57,000 abandoned commercial and residential building permits. All permit applications, inspection reports, and plan review comment letters now contain language to address abandoned building permits. The Unit Price List was updated to be more in line with surrounding Counties. Staff also continue actively working on the roll-out of the Land Development Projects new eReview process, along with user guides and training videos, with all plan types to be phased-in by July 2023. The ability to provide “Virtual Counters” to allow customers face-to-face online is also in the early phase of software implementation and testing. More information will be available in 2023. 

First established in 1999 to assist the Economic Development Council with developing recommendations to improve the development process for commercial projects, the Committee has now served for over two decades. The Committee is seeking nominations for more industry members, contractors, builders, developers, and businesses to get involved in their community. The Committee meets quarterly to:

• Engage in discussions and exchanges of information on key topics of interest.
• Provide expert assessment of recent developments, including reviewing and providing general advice on the County’s priorities; and
• Provide stakeholder understanding and insights on a diversity of issues pertinent to commercial development.

“My heartfelt thanks and respect go out to our entire group who volunteer their time each year, and specifically those members that participate in sub-committee working groups: Gary Jones; Gary Gardner; Barry Braden; Mike Kitchen; Eric Dunn; Russ Gestl; Tim Kessler; and Yuri Chapman. I am extremely proud of our collective responsiveness, and the tireless commitment of members and staff, that now spans well over two decades. It is an honor to Chair such a dynamic and dedicated group of volunteers.” added Garcia.

To receive Commercial Development Committee meeting invitations and more, please send an email request to Amanda Bates, [email protected]. To learn more about the Committee, read the book or visit our website.