Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 45
Grantee:
Middlesex County
Project Title:
Coastal Planner and Wetlands Board Staff
Project Description as Proposed:
The County of Middlesex
seeks to continue its implementation of protection of natural resources,
management of coastal development, comprehensive planning, and improvements
in permit processing and tracking. County personnel responsible
with implementing these programs include the Planning Director,
the Planner/Deputy Zoning Administrator, the Building/Erosion &
Sediment Control Inspector, and the Planning Department Office Manager.
The Planning Department Office manager will serve as the initial
point of contact for all inquiries involving these programs, do
the initial permit entry into the County's database system, and
assist in the preparation of committee meeting minutes.
The following summary is a description of the work to be performed
and is largely a continuation and progression of the work as detailed
in the FY 2001 Coastal Zone Management Grant award.
1) Chesapeake Bay Preservation: The Planner and Planning Director
will continue to administer and enforce the requirements of the
Chesapeake Bay Act through review of zoning and building applications
that affect Chesapeake Bay Presevation Areas.
2) Wetlands: The Planner will continue to serve as staff to the
County Wetlands Board. This duty includes, but is not limited to,
the review of all wetland applications, site inspections, enforcement
actions, preparation of Board meeting packets, and the scheduling
and advertisement of Board meetings.
3) Erosion and Sediment Control: The E & S Inspector will continue
to perform plan reviews, site inspections, and administrative and
enforcement duties required under the Erosion and Sediment Control
Ordinance.
4)Comprehensive Plan: The update to the Middlsex County Comprehensive
Plan was adopted December 4, 2001. A new major component and implemetation
tool of the plan will be the development of an annual work program
based upon plan goals, objectives, and strategies. The Planner will
have major responsibility in assisting the Planning Commission in
the development of the annual work program.
May 16, 2006 continue to review and recommend
changes to county ordinance that advance the environmental policies
of the Comprehensive Plan and Chesapeake Bay Act.
6) Permit Tracking/GIS: Staff will continue to maintain and improve
computer databases used for permit tracking and bring the County
GIS on-line and into active use.
Federal Funding:
$25,000
Project Contact:
Matthew Higgins, 804.758.3382
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Through
VCRMP, the County of Middlesex has continued its strategy of protection
of natural resources, management of coastal development, comprehensive
planning and improvements in permit processing and tracking. Activities
performed through the grant included implementation of the Chesapeake
Bay Preservation Act, wetlands protection, implementation of the
Middlesex County Comprehensive Plan, revision of County ordinances,
permit tracking and GIS implementation. Measurable program results
included:
Annual Reports of Boards/Commissions
Annual reports for all activities conducted through VCRMP have been
completed and approved by relevant boards and commissions.
Comprehensive Plan Annual Work Program
The Planning Commission continued to implement their annual work
program, primarily through its newly established Zoning Subcommittee.
The extensive work of the Zoning Subcommittee has resulted in multiple
ordinance amendments, as detailed under Product #5.
Water Quality Impact Assessments
The Planner reviewed sixty-five (65) Water Quality Impact Assessments
(WQIAs) for compliance with State and local Chesapeake Bay regulations.
WQIAs are submitted along with submissions for Chesapeake Bay Preservation
Act Exceptions and Resources Protection Area Development permits.
GIS Products
GIS capability has been expanded in the Middlesex County offices,
whereby all Planning Department staff has access to critical information,
such as parcels, streets, zoning and assessment information, through
Arcview GIS software. The Planner utilized information on wetlands
and areas protected by the Chesapeake Bay Act in presentations to
the Wetlands Board. This increase in GIS capability has been most
integral to mapping out damage that occurred to the County via Hurricane
Isabel in September 2003.
Ordinance Revisions
The Planner assisted in the revision of Articles 17A, Site Plan
Review; 17B, Landscaping Requirements; 17C, Lighting Requirements;
and 17D, Multi-Family, Condominium and Townhouse Requirements of
the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the Planner assisted in the extensive
revision of Article 4A, Chesapeake Bay Preservation District, of
the Zoning Ordinance to meet current CBLAD regulations. In total,
seven (7) amendments were made to the Zoning Ordinance and one (1)
amendment was made to the Subdivision Ordinance during grant timeframe.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
