Agenda - 12-15-2009 - 6g - Laserfiche WebLink

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The reorganization involves: 1. Consolidating the two Current Planning Divisions, Subdivision and Zoning, into one section. This consolidation will eliminate the need for the vacant Planner III Supervisor position. Consolidating these two divisions will allow the department to provide concentrated support to oversee the implementation and interpretation of land development regulations as staff proceeds with the development of the BOCC goal of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This consolidation will also lead to more organizational consistency and clarity in communications to the public and developers as well as allow the department to better adjust to the ebb and flow of activity in the division. 2. The department will reclassify the vacant Planner III position to a Planner II position to take on the increased duties in the Comprehensive Planning Division. Over time, the work of the part-time Planner II (transportation and socio-economic, demographic focus) position has increased, resulting in the need to increase the position to full-time. To address this need the vacant Planner III position will be reclassified to a Planner II position and take on duties in the Comprehensive Planning division. The department will then eliminate the part-time Planner II position, which was vacated. This change will allow the department to better address the increased transportation planning duties as well as provide assistance with the Unified Development Ordinance consultant and be an important liaison with interdepartmental interaction in the implementation of various advisory board objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. 3. The vacant Planner I position will be reclassified to a Planning Technician classification. (Attachment 3) The position will be cross-trained in the customer service central permitting function and serve as a presence at the second floor counter in the new development services building. Other duties will include minor subdivision help to local property owners and minor zoning building permit review. This position will allow entry-level employees to grow within the organization by learning a variety of sections of the department. 4. In August 2009 the Engineering Division was assigned to the Planning and Inspections Department. This originally included two positions: County Engineer and Assistant County Engineer. The County Engineer participated in the retirement incentive program and the position will be eliminated with some duties being absorbed by the Assistant County Engineer, which will be re-titled Staff Engineer. The role of this position will be re-evaluated over the next year. The Staff Engineer will work as a separate but integrated function within the larger Planning and Inspections Department under the direct supervision of the Planning and Inspections Director. The engineering functions of the County planning jurisdiction include water and sewer plan oversight, Lake Orange responsibilities of water flow monitoring and structural integrity, Efland sewer system operation licensure, maintenance contract monitoring and a liaison role with utility authorities (City of Mebane and Town of Hillsborough, City of Durham, Orange Alamance Water System). The integration of the engineering review function will greatly improve the communication and review regarding public water and sewer projects related to development review within the County's growth areas including economic development zones.