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Council debates speed of permit review and whether third-party engineering should be required for land-disturbance approvals
Summary
Following concern that a recent land-disturbance permit moved quickly, councilors debated whether the town should require independent engineering review for certain permit thresholds and whether ordinance language needs revision; council directed planning/ORC to develop options rather than taking immediate code changes.
Council members raised concerns about a recently approved land-disturbance permit and whether the town’s review process allowed adequate professional review for technical stormwater issues.
A councilmember said the process "rushed through" and noted the town’s ordinance grants a 45-day review window; others argued that technical approvals should be backed by professional engineers or an independent reviewer for specified thresholds to protect neighbors and Chesapeake Bay water quality. One speaker recommended adding a fee mechanism so that permit applicants fund independent reviews when appropriate. Planning staff and ORC members noted the current ordinance checklist was followed and that changing the ordinance would be the appropriate next step if the council wants to require additional third-party review.
No ordinance change was enacted at the Jan. 12 meeting; councilors requested planning staff assemble options and bring recommended ordinance language to ORC for consideration.
