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Land use department shifts long‑range planner to permits desk to ease permit backlog
Summary
The Department of Land Use and Growth Management will reassign a funded vacant long‑range planning position to the permits division to handle high permit volumes; commissioners approved the reorganization unanimously.
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved a departmental reorganization on Tuesday that moves a funded but vacant long‑range planning position into the permits division to address high customer demand at the permits counter.
Director Jessica Andritz presented the reorganization as a customer‑service change intended to reduce delays at the permits desk. “Last year, we serviced over 15,000 customers, by phone, coming directly into the permits desk… We had new permit applications processed by the division, totaling almost 2,500,” Andritz said, explaining staff workload and fiscal constraints that led to reassigning the existing vacancy rather than adding new funding.
Commissioners discussed the role of long‑range planning, the comprehensive plan, and the planning commission’s responsibilities. Andritz said long‑range planners will continue to work on the comprehensive plan, MPO coordination and grant work, but that current demand at the permits desk requires more staff upfront.
The motion to approve the reorganization passed unanimously.
Why this matters: Moving staff to the permits desk is intended to reduce permit processing time for residents and developers; commissioners acknowledged the need to review broader land‑use process issues with the planning commission.
What’s next: The department will shift the funded vacancy to the permits division and monitor customer‑service metrics; commissioners suggested continued discussion with the planning commission and board of appeals about process efficiency.
