Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
(OP)
Not sure if this is the right place, but I could not really find a forum that covers such a great range of questions on what I do.
The family and I are planning a little trip down from northwest NJ to visit DE, MD and VA. It is a short trip (we are planning a longer vacation later in the year, so we must conserve are days off). The goal of the trip for me is to try and speak to someone (hopefully a planning board secretary or even better the Township Engineer) on how a typical site plan application process is conducted in their state (or County).
Here in NJ, each township has its own planning and zoning board, and even if an appplication is 100% in conformance with the ordinance, a public hearing is required and we usually get bashed around by the board/public, even on a conforming app. I have heard different stories that other states handle applications differently.
Do you guys have any recommendations on particular Townships or Counties to visit in any one of these states that may be helpful? We plan on driving down the east coast, stopping off at a couple of places for the kids (6 & 9) but I was hoping to at least speak to 1 person from each state to get a better feel. This state is really starting to take its toll on me.
Any advice/suggestions or even addresses of municipal buildings would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
The family and I are planning a little trip down from northwest NJ to visit DE, MD and VA. It is a short trip (we are planning a longer vacation later in the year, so we must conserve are days off). The goal of the trip for me is to try and speak to someone (hopefully a planning board secretary or even better the Township Engineer) on how a typical site plan application process is conducted in their state (or County).
Here in NJ, each township has its own planning and zoning board, and even if an appplication is 100% in conformance with the ordinance, a public hearing is required and we usually get bashed around by the board/public, even on a conforming app. I have heard different stories that other states handle applications differently.
Do you guys have any recommendations on particular Townships or Counties to visit in any one of these states that may be helpful? We plan on driving down the east coast, stopping off at a couple of places for the kids (6 & 9) but I was hoping to at least speak to 1 person from each state to get a better feel. This state is really starting to take its toll on me.
Any advice/suggestions or even addresses of municipal buildings would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!





RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
VA is still a great place to be. If you are interested in a simpler lifestyle & quality of life, you may want to get a bit away from the coast. Its beautiful there near the beaches, but the regs can be quite onerous.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
Are there still hearings on new projects that are 100% conforming to the ordinance?
Thanks again, I guess I will pick a town or two and see if I can locate the municipal building online prior to our trip in a few weeks.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
There is a lot going on with Jamestown 1607-2007, and historic Williamsburg has a lot going on with all the reenactments and restored/replica buildings. The topo is fairly flat, so its easy to get around on foot.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
If you are headed to Williamsburg area, you might want to contact the York County planning folks. They have also authored a reasonable "how to" guide for their site planning process (www.yorkcounty.gov). Chesterfield County (near Richmond) also has a very helpful planning department. Let me know if you want contact information.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
Thanks again for the help guys.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
I remember the thread you started in December regarding the same topic (minus the travel plans).
1. I am curious...what is your goal? To find a place that has a process that is less stressful and move there? or is it to compare your misery with that of other jurisdictions? If it is the latter..to what end?
2. I won't rehash comments from the previous thread...just offer some resources for lower Delaware:
Sussex County:
minutes and agendas for public meetings of County Council, planning & zoning, and board of adjustment are available at:
http:/
one can listen to meetings live online. an archive of audio is found at:
http://w
(you may find some land discussions entertaining)
If you visit, you may find it more informative to actually go to a meeting vs. just speak with a secretary.
Kent County:
If you think public hearings are fun business, try a 9-month moratorium on applications for residential development (just passed).
Kent County planning website is:
htt
You can view plans under review in Kent County here:
http://
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
Before I make a large jump like moving to another state, as the only one in the household that is currently bringing in $$$, I would like to gain some knowledge on how my career would be in other areas. I do not know if things are the same, easier, more difficult, etc. My wife always says I overanalyze everything, but I would like to be a little more informed before I jump in with both feet.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
What I did notice on the plans submitted for the Kent County applications were that the plans were mostly just conceptual layout plans showing the overall subdivision and layout. There was 1 application that had a sheet of very rough proposed grades, but that was it.
Are fully engineered plans generally done after a hearing and then reviewed by the County's professionals, or is another public hearing required after the plans are fully engineered?
Here in NJ we do a full set of plans, soup to nuts right down to every single detail required to construct, and this is submitted to the board for site plan application.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
We are going down there in a month, I am really looking forward to it.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
The plans posted at Kent County Delaware web site are preliminary subdivision plans. For preliminary approval, the project goes to a Regional Planning Commission (RPC) meeting for approval, then to Kent Levy Court(like a County Council) for preliminary approval. If a project gets preliminary approval, it must then get approval from various agencies: DelDOT, Fire Marshal, Kent Conservation District (Sediment & Stormwater), Public Works, Planning & Zoning...those are the major ones. Once one has all agency approvals (full construction documents), one goes back to RPC then Kent Levy Court for final approval.
Sussex county's process is similar, except County Council is not invovled in regular subdivision approval process. Council approval is only required for rezoning or conditional use.
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
RE: Questions for people in DE, MD, and VA
I lived in Chester, VA, several years ago, and worked in the Richmond area. I think you will like it there.
I moved further west (again) because I have most of my relatives here and missed the mountains.