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DPW says summer CHIPS work is slowing driveway-permit processing; 16 requests pending
Summary
Montgomery County Department of Public Works told the county legislature that seasonal CHIPS and maintenance work limits its ability to process driveway-permit requests quickly; 16 permits have been requested so far this year.
The Montgomery County Department of Public Works told the County Legislature that it is actively taking driveway-permit requests but cannot guarantee quick turnarounds during the June–August CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) season.
Frank Mafia, representing the county Department of Public Works, said the department is "actively taking permit requests" and noted, "Between June 1 and August 31 is our busy time of the year with CHIP programs, regular maintenance, work orders." He added, "It's not that we're not gonna do it. It's just we don't we can't be in 2 places at 1 time."
Mafia provided a handout showing permit counts and costs; he told legislators the department has received 16 driveway-permit requests so far this year. He said DPW staffing levels and the need to prioritize planned CHIPS contractor work and routine maintenance make it difficult to guarantee a specific fulfillment date for each permit. "If there is a break in scheduling, whether it be machinery or breakdowns, DPW will fulfill driveway permit requests," he said.
Legislators pressed for clarity on timing and priorities. One legislator said completing permits only on Fridays could create a four-month backlog for the current requests; Mafia and other legislators described the situation as "understaffed" and a trade-off between scheduled capital and maintenance work and ad hoc permit inspections.
The discussion also included a brief related exchange about courthouse contingency funds; a legislator said roughly $100,000 remains under discussion to avoid wasteful rework on planned courthouse improvements. That funding discussion was presented as a separate budget/prioritization item rather than a decision affecting permit processing.
The legislature did not take formal action on permits during the meeting. DPW staff expressed intent to process permits as schedule breaks permit and suggested Fridays as a potential dedicated day to address outstanding requests.
County staff and legislators said they will revisit the workload and budget planning in future sessions.
