News

ARTICLE
Date ArticleType
2/23/2022 Member News

HBA Staff and Members Meet with Washington County Land Use & Transportation Staff to Discuss Permitting Timeline Concerns


During the quarterly meeting between Washington County staff and HBA members working in the county, members voiced their concern with current delays and the ever increasing permitting timelines.

Builders and developers on the zoom video conference discussed their frustration with the delays and inefficiencies inherent in the current process, especially due the sequential rather than concurrent review process. In addition to requesting concurrent review of permits by multiple departments, attendees offered other solutions to decrease timelines and shorten processing gaps including a “fast” line for less complicated permits, permit intake prior to plat recording and creating a “hold harmless” clause that allows sophisticated developers and builders to submit permits earlier in the process while assuming the risk of costs should the project substantially change after permits have been reviewed.

HBA staff will be working with Washington County Director of Development Stephen Roberts and his staff to create a working group with HBA members to review the permit process for immediate efficiency and time savings opportunities while the county works on long term permitting and inspection process change. For more information or to participate in future meetings contact Ryan Makinster at ryanm@hbapdx.org.