Name Change and New Features Part of Overall Improvement Plan
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. –– The Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning officially becomes the Department of Community Planning and Building effective July 1.
The new name better reflects the department's mandate to provide overall planning and building services to the community. It also more accurately captures the functions of the Division of Inspections and Permits, which administers building codes and local ordinances while issuing permits and conducting inspections on various types of projects.
The name change is also symbolic of a new approach that includes the following efforts:
Departmental Reorganization
The Department of Community Planning and Building is now organized into four separate divisions:
-- Policy
-- Development Review
-- Appeals, Variances and Exceptions
-- Inspections and Permits
The reorganization will help make departmental functions more effective and efficient with the aim of improved customer service.
Customer Service Upgrades
Department employee Terry Williams now serves as Development Navigator, a position created to enhance customer service by providing one source for help with different planning and building processes. She will assist customers with project site plan and subdivision reviews and other processes that can be very involved. Terry can be reached at 410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2642, or via email at williatl@co.cal.md.us.
Beginning July 2, building permit technicians will staff a customer service desk on the ground floor of the County Services Plaza building at 150 Main Street, Prince Frederick, where the Department of Community Planning and Building is located. This full-time presence will allow customers to get general information, drop off forms and conduct other business more easily.
The department also has a new introductory video that gives an overview of department functions. Featuring interviews with department staff, the video gives a brief history of planning in Calvert County, explains department functions and lets customers know what to expect when embarking on different types of projects. View the video now on Calvert County's new YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/CalvertCountyGov?feature=mhee.
Regulation Review
As part of this new vision and aligning of priorities, the department has embarked on reviews of various county regulations. Public input has highlighted areas where regulations are confusing and possibly cumbersome. This feedback is helping county staff address issues of public importance. One example now underway is the review of local sign regulations which has featured community outreach meetings, a public forum and the formation of an ad-hoc committee to pursue solutions. Details on that effort are available at http://www.co.cal.md.us/government/departments/planning/signregulations.
For more information, contact the Calvert County Department of Community Planning and Building at 410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext. 2356, email PZ@co.cal.md.us or visit online at http://www.co.cal.md.us.
Source: Calvert County Government