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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201700050 Executive Summary Final Site Plan and Comps. 2012-07-11 COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: AGENDA DATE: Priority Review Process for Target Industries July 11, 2012 SUBJECT/PROPOSAUREQUEST: ACTION: INFORMATION: Approval of priority review process for qualifying target industry projects. CONSENT AGENDA: STAFF CONTACT(S): ACTION: X INFORMATION: Messrs. Foley, Elliott, Davis, Kamptner, Graham, and Cilimberg; and Mses. Catlin and Stimart ATTACHMENTS: No PRESENTER(S): N/A LEGAL REVIEW: Yes REVIEWED BY: BACKGROUND: On March 7, 2012, staff presented preliminary information to the Board regarding a priority review process as a strategy to encourage the start-up, expansion and relocation of target industries as recommended by the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development's recently completed Target Industry Study. The study was endorsed by the Board at its May 2, 2012 meeting. The Board had a follow up discussion about the priority review process at its June 6, 2012 meeting and provided feedback to staff on several elements of the proposed process. The Board requested that the process be amended to incorporate the Board's comments and be placed on the July 11th consent agenda for final approval. Feedback focused on adding environmental impact to the selection criteria, encouraging a focus on local hiring, including language regarding net positive fiscal impact, and eliminating the mention of joint Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings from the potential guidelines list with the understanding that that option is a possibility that the Board can consider. Suggested changes are indicated in bold below. STRATEGIC PLAN: Goal 3. Promote economic vitality DISCUSSION: It is the County's goal to provide timely and responsive review for all applicants. However, staff also recognizes that businesses that bring strong job creation and higher than average wages, and that fit within desirable target industry categories, are particularly advantageous to the community as a whole. Locating those types of companies as quickly as possible in Albemarle County is beneficial to County residents and to the local economy. In order to make a formalized priority review process effective, criteria must be clear in order to identify projects that would bring significant economic benefits to the County and thus are appropriate for special consideration. Staff has based its criteria either on specific outcomes measured in the County's Economic Vitality Action Plan or on thresholds established for the Virginia Jobs Investment Program managed by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. Selectivity in granting priority status helps to insure that qualifying projects receive the necessary staff attention. Staff recommends that a formal priority review process be reserved for qualified target industry enterprises located within appropriately designated development areas that are not expected to have a significant negative environmental impact, that create an increase in property value and that meet two or more of the following criteria: • Projects that provide a minimum of 25 net new jobs with at least 50% of the net new jobs having higher wages than the prevailing County average within 12 months from the date of the first hire and that show a plan to recruit and hire local residents. (this job level is consistent with established thresholds for the Virginia Jobs Investment Program) • Projects that are expected to bring in a minimum of$1 million capital investment and have a positive impact on County revenues. (this investment level is consistent with established thresholds for the Virginia Jobs Investment Program) • Projects that are expected to generate over 50% of their revenue from outside the TJPED region. (this criterion is consistent with established thresholds for the Virginia Jobs Investment Program) AGENDA TITLE: Priority Review Process for Target Industries July 11, 2012 Page 2 Environmental Issues A priority review process will not in any way lessen the careful scrutiny of environmental issues that is a standard part of the County's development review processes. It is important to state clearly that priority review projects will undergo the same rigorous environmental analysis called for by County ordinances as any other proposed project. Any complications arising from that analysis will be thoroughly assessed and the project will be required to take all necessary steps to address any issues that are identified. Potential Guidelines for Priority Review Process To be successful, a formalized priority process must recognize that each project has different needs and circumstances and that a specific approach must be developed on a case-by-case basis. The following guidelines provide a general approach with the understanding that a critical part of the initial evaluation of the project review will include assessing and responding to the project's specific individual circumstances. • A company must make a request to the County's Economic Development staff that its project be designated for priority review. Requests that meet the priority review criteria will then be forwarded to the Community Development Director who, in consultation with the Economic Development staff, will make the final determination on eligibility for priority designation. • Prior to submitting its development application, the company and the Community Development Director and Economic Development staff shall meet to discuss the County's priority review process. This structured meeting will identify issues before the formal application is submitted for review. The applicant also would be advised to identify a single point of contact(SPOC)for the application process as this has proven to significantly reduce communication problems. The County will do the same as outlined below. Success of the priority review will depend on the willingness of both parties to commit to meeting established expectations. • Once the project is approved for priority review and the initial submission meeting has occurred, the priority review application is submitted to the attention of the Community Development Director. • Priority treatment of the application, or"top-of-the-list" status, will be provided for the project throughout the entire development review. This priority treatment will include flexibility in submittal deadlines and immediate processing for qualifying applications. • The Community Development Director will assign the project to asenior project manager who will serve as a liaison during the application and permitting process. This senior project manager will provide oversight irk throughout the process, and the project will remain prioritized throughout developmental review. The senior ‘7.7T- project manager also will be responsible for notifying the Community Development Director of any resource Tneeds or problems the applicant is unable to address.The senior project manager and the applicant's SPOC `1 will coordinate throughout the development review process. Neu) �t A review team comprised of experienced members from all reviewing departments will work on the application's review until the project is completed, based on timelines agreed upon and established in order to N.- ensure efficiency. These experienced team members will be empowered to make administrative decisions and recommendations on behalf of their respective departments and divisions during the review process. • Legally required Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors notices may be published simultaneously. • The site plan process may run concurrently with the rezoning or special use permit application if both are required. • Economic Development staff will be involved during the pre-submittal process and will act as part of the review team throughout the process to identify possible federal, state and local incentives and resources. Again, these guidelines are general in nature due to the individual requirements of specific projects. If a project is accepted for priority review, staff will tailor the most efficient approach while maintaining established standards of quality and public input. Measuring Program Success Staff will make every effort to ensure that projects accepted into the priority review program are on track to meet the established criteria. Because achieving the minimum criteria levels will not be possible until after the necessary reviews are granted, and there is no form of financial incentive being provided, staff has very limited ability to respond to non-performance. Staff recommends regular follow up with priority review projects to track data and assess performance against the minimum criteria. Based on these findings, staff may recommend adjustments to criteria and/or program guidelines if that becomes necessary. Following Board approval, staff will develop an application and program guidelines to be implemented this fall.