[EyesOnIvy] Albemarle combining zoning, planning and engineering dept

[Brian Wheeler]

Albemarle to combine related departments

By David Dadurka  / Daily Progress staff writer
June 4, 2003

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Starting in July, Albemarle County plans a yearlong process of combining
its development-related departments to be "more responsive to growth,"
said Mark B. Graham, county director of engineering and public works.
Graham said that combining the county's zoning, planning and engineering
departments will help bring "clarity and consistency" to the development
process.

The Board of Supervisors gave the plan its initial nod of approval
Wednesday, adopting an organizational chart outlining the new Department
of Community Development's leadership. Graham will head the department.
The plan will realign the three  existing development departments
planning and community development, building code and zoning services,
and engineering and public works into three divisions: planning, current
development and zoning, and building and inspections. 

A separate group, called General Services, will manage "non-development"
functions including capital projects, public infrastructure maintenance
and recycling. Graham believes the new structure will help customers
"better understand what is in front of them ... that we are not treating
anybody different."  

During Wednesday?s board meeting, Supervisor Lindsay G. Dorrier Jr.
asked Graham if creating the new department would mean applications
would be acted on faster. Graham said that having one team for site
plans and subdivisions would cut the timeline for a review and improve
the process as well. 

Board member Sally H. Thomas said she had heard several complaints from
county residents that they believe planners are set on helping
developers. "I was really shocked at those words," she said. "It's
really alarming to me." Thomas emphasized that the department also
needed to remember to keep the community's interest in mind. "I think
staff knows this,  but needs to be reminded," she said. 

Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker countered that area developers would
probably say the opposite. Graham noted: "The real issue is clarity and
consistency, making sure citizens have an opportunity for remarks."
Officials stressed that the  reorganization will be gradual, so that
current plans are processed on schedule. They added that as details of
the transition are finalized the public will have opportunities to
comment.  

In other business, the board approved raising members' annual salaries
by 2 percent, to $11,980  from $11,657, starting July. Another 1.8
percent raise will kick in no earlier than January,  boosting the salary
level to $12,804. Albemarle resident Tom Jakubowski told the board that
he was opposed to the raise. Jakubowski was the only person who spoke at
the public hearing. "I don't think voting yourself a raise is very
politically correct considering the budget situation," he said. 

Dorrier described the salary increase as a cost-of-living adjustment.
"This encourages the average citizen to run for the board," he said.
Supervisors also reviewed a redesigned county web site slated to launch
next month, and adopted a $3.1 million amendment to the fiscal 2003-04
budget. 

Contact David Dadurka at (434) 978-7299 or ddadurka at dailyprogress.com.