Supervisors told to update local subdivision and site‑plan ordinances after state law shifts reviews to designated official

County staff alerted the Madison County Board of Supervisors that Senate Bill 974 changes state law to shift administrative review of some site‑plan and development matters from the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to a designated local official, effective July 1.

Why it matters: The law shortens review timelines and gives more administrative authority to a designated reviewer, which staff said will require ordinance amendments to reflect the new statutory process. Staff warned that the statutory deadlines are developer‑friendly and that the county should carefully define what constitutes a “completed application” to avoid unintended waivers or premature approvals.

What staff will do: The county attorney and planning staff said they will draft ordinance amendments to implement the new process and will present a draft to the board by its May 27 meeting. Staff recommended an initial, limited amendment to ensure continuity after July 1, followed by a more thorough ordinance review later to address details such as application completeness and review timelines.

Board and stakeholder process: Staff proposed sharing drafts with the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee before returning to the board; the board agreed staff should brief both advisory bodies so they can provide input. Several supervisors expressed concern that the statutory timeline reduces citizen review and urged careful drafting to preserve public notice and key checks where possible.

Ending: County staff and counsel said they will prepare the ordinance language, brief the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee, and return to the board with a draft amendment for consideration prior to the July 1 effective date.