Delays in the nuts and bolts of opening businesses in Prince William County – inspections and project plan reviews – are being viewed as economic development issues by government leaders trying to streamline a complicated, headache-producing process.
The county’s reputation for multiple, repeat inspections and permit delays is the focus of new efforts by the public works department and the Board of Supervisors to reduce hiccups.
In a time of slowing economic development, Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart has seized on improving the permitting process as a top priority following his re-election last week.
“It hurts the county’s business friendly reputation, so that needs to be fixed,” Stewart said. “We’re losing business everyday because of this.”
Although a tough economic climate nationally and regionally is being blamed for slow commercial development, Stewart said he process can be addressed even if the market can’t be helped.
Developers and county staff members have been trying to fix the problem through joint panel.
Developer Steve Daves of R.W. Murray said his peers have often felt like issues that could have been addressed after a primary inspection are only noticed on a repeat visit, delaying subsequent reviews.
The county has begun requiring new documentation when an inspector cites a new problem on a repeat visit, said Tom Bruun, director of public works.
“We want to work to catch everything on the first inspection,” he said, noting that there have been few reported cases like that in the first two months
Stewart proposed doing a comprehensive study of the process to identify any aspects that could be improved without jeopardizing the integrity of the reviews. Supervisor Wally Covington, R-Brentsville, who wants to overhaul the process, is hoping for action in coming months.
But Bruun noted any changes can’t limit the importance of thorough inspections.
“We’re charged with identifying life-safety issues, so if we do find deficiencies that were not caught initially, we will note them. They have to be corrected.”
