Middlesex County adopts zoning ordinance amendment to name ‘designated agent’ for site-plan and subdivision reviews

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors approved ordinance amendment 25‑03 to revise the county zoning ordinance so certain site-plan and subdivision reviews for by‑right uses are handled by a designated agent rather than the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors.

Staff said the change implements a state code revision that removes Planning Commission and governing-body review for some site plans and subdivisions. Mr. David Kretz, who presented the amendments, said the change “is basically to name a designated agent that would be reviewing these subdivisions and site plans.” He added that the definition he added “for the purposes of this definition, designated agent shall mean the director of planning, his or her designee or other agent assigned by the board of supervisors.”

Kretz said the intent is to shorten review timelines for by‑right development and that the Planning Commission had recommended approval. He described the amendment as removing multiple references to Planning Commission and board review throughout the zoning ordinance and said the change defaults review responsibility to the planning director but allows the board to assign another agent if needed.

Board member Mr. Crittenden moved adoption of ordinance amendment 25‑03; Mr. Williams seconded. The board approved the amendment by roll call; the meeting record shows affirmative votes from Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Jesse, Mr. Williams and Chairman Don Harris. No public speakers addressed this item during the meeting.

Staff noted the ordinance language mirrors state code in many places; Kretz said staff inserted a default definition so the county would have a local official to perform reviews when required.