Pilot project aims to cut time needed to establish, expand job sites
June 1, 2011
Contact: Marty Snell, Community Development director, (360) 397-2375 ext. 4101,
Pilot project aims to cut time needed to establish, expand job sites
Vancouver, WA – In a continuing effort to back new or expanding employers, Clark County Community Development is offering another option to speed up site plan reviews for non-residential building projects.
Community Development Director Marty Snell said the county will commit to shaving about three weeks off the process for developers with projects ready for county review as soon as they apply.
To be eligible, projects must not be subject to delays caused by site plans that are tentative or incomplete when first submitted to the county.
“We hear every day that time is money,” said Snell. “We will cut the time it takes for projects to clear our review process, but the plans must have addressed key issues, such as traffic impacts, stormwater management, habitat, wetlands and geological hazards, before we start the clock.”
Snell said the county already has cut the cost of job-producing projects under a “fee holiday” approved last fall by the Board of County Commissioners.
Under that program, the county will waive certain fees until the end of 2011 for commercial tenant improvements and to develop business parks, industrial sites and offices. The emphasis is on areas targeted for public investment and on industries that could help diversify the local economy.
So far, about 30 businesses have moved forward under the temporary fee waivers. They include a small animal hospital, health care facilities, cooking school and retail stores.
Snell briefed the Board on proposed time-saving strategies for development review this morning. The commissioners concurred with his plan to start the pilot project immediately.
For details, contact Community Development at (360) 397-2375 ext. 5122.
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