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Planning director outlines software conversion, staffing changes and comp-plan work sessions
Summary
Montgomery County planning staff announced the Public Service Authority is now a county department, a new utilities director, a promotion to GIS manager, OpenGov software implementation set for Jan. 5, and upcoming comprehensive-plan work sessions beginning Dec. 10.
The Montgomery County planning director reported several administrative and operational changes at the commission’s Nov. 19 meeting, including a departmental reorganization, staff promotions, and an information-technology transition intended to speed permitting.
The director said the Public Service Authority is now organized under the county umbrella while retaining its board; "Justin Shepherd was hired as the utilities director," the director said, praising his early performance. The director also announced that Cody Andrews was promoted to GIS manager effective Nov. 16 after serving as senior GIS analyst; Michael Sutherland recently retired.
On technology, the department is converting to an online permitting platform called OpenGov. The director said the OpenGov implementation aims to let applicants apply remotely and receive concurrent reviews for zoning, building and environmental checks, which staff expects will shorten review times. Training is scheduled in the coming weeks and an implementation date of Jan. 5 was given.
The director reviewed recent public engagement for the comprehensive plan — including a Montgomery Matters open house and an online survey at montgomerymatters.com — and said the next commission meeting, Dec. 10, would be the first comprehensive-plan work session. He said the county hopes to complete adoption of the comprehensive plan in the months after the new year, with public hearings to follow.
On transportation, the director thanked Dr. Smoot for securing Highway Safety Improvements Program funds for the second segment of Reiner Road (Route 8) and said staff has issued an RFP to select on-call transportation consultants for a five-year period.
The director said department budget requests will be submitted on Dec. 12 and that staff will continue to consult with stakeholders, including the New River Valley Home Builders Association, on the zoning-ordinance rewrite and other development concerns.
