Because the degree of complexity varies with development projects, the requirements for site plan submissions and reviews are grouped into three levels according to the complexity of the project and the actions necessary for approval. Notwithstanding the review requirements of this Ordinance, this Article is not intended to exempt an applicant from any review which may be required by other provisions of this Ordinance or other land development ordinances of the County.

A. Level One Site Plan Approval: requires review and approval of site plans by the Zoning Administrator only. The following uses are subject to this level of review unless a use is required to have a higher level of review under the next two subsections:

  • Any use within a Chesapeake Bay Protection Area Overlay District which involves more than twenty-five hundred (2500) square feet of land disturbance
  • Any use in the Floodplain Overlay District
  • Any development fronting a navigable waterway
  • Limited Business Uses

B. Level Two Site Plan Approval: requires review and approval of site plans by the Planning Commission. The following uses are subject to this level of review:

  • Multi-Family Residential Projects
  • General Business Uses

C. Level Three Site Plan Approval: requires review and approval of site plans by the Board of Supervisors with recommendations by the Planning Commission. The following uses are subject to this level of review:

  • Rural Residential Cluster Developments
  • Planned Unit Developments
  • Conditional Uses
  • Industrial or Manufacturing Use
  • Institutional or Governmental Use