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Site Plan Review - Major and Minor
Development Site Plan Reviews and Recommendations
Planning reviews and makes recommendations relating to development site plans (major or minor). To begin the plans review process, the first step is to obtain county and state input on the initial concept plan for the site. To do this, file an inquiry request through the Enterprise Land Management (ELM) citizen access portal using the inquiry questionnaire checklist (PDF).
Once the inquiry request is submitted, there will be a virtual inquiry meeting held with the site plan review team, the developer and the consultant to discuss the inquiry request.
The inquiry request application will be determined to be Major or Minor at that time.
Major Site Plan Review Process
Prepare County and State Checklists and Submit Plan Documents
Consultant prepares plans addressing county and state checklists, submits plan documents through ELM and delivers two hard copies of plans to the Planning Department.
- Fire Flow Estimate Form (PDF)
- First Glance Checklist (Major Site Plan) (PDF)
- Investigation Worksheet for Graves, Memorials and Places of Burial Form (PDF)
- Planning Department Site Plan Checklist (PDF)
- Site Utilization Form (PDF)
- Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- Utilities Checklist (PDF)
- VDOT Site Plan Checklist - Richmond District (PDF)
- Zoning Lot Request - Residential (PDF)
- Zoning Lot Request - Non-Residential (PDF)
First Glance Review
The county will complete a First Glance review to ensure plans are complete using the First Glance Checklist - Major Site Plan (PDF) within five business days of the plan submittal. The consultant will be told what to fix, if necessary.
Payment of Fees
Once the county completes the First Glance review, an invoice is entered into ELM for owner to pay fees (PDF).
First Review and Staff/Developer Conference Notifications
After payment of fees, county staff performs first review (typically within 21-25 calendar days). The consultant can then retrieve all comments from the ELM portal and prepare for the mandatory virtual staff/developer conference. Planning staff will schedule the virtual conference date and notify the consultant and applicant. Planning staff will complete public notification with signs posted at the site and postcards mailed to adjacent property owners.
Virtual Staff/Developer Conference
Virtual staff/developer conferences are held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesdays and last about 45 minutes. At this meeting, the consultant and the applicant are able to ask questions and seek clarification regarding county staff comments to the submitted plans.
Resubmittal(s)
The consultant resubmits plans through the ELM portal and delivers one hard copy of the plans to the Planning Department. The consultant receives comments through the ELM portal with each review period lasting about 21-25 calendar days. No other staff/developer conferences are required but can be requested if issues are not resolved. The last review can be a table review (five-day turnaround) to address minor outstanding comments.
Substantial Approval
The county offers a substantial approval (prior to full approval) once all land disturbance issues are addressed. Substantial approval allows for a land disturbance permit to be obtained and construction to start. However, should citizen concerns come forward that could impact land disturbance or start of construction, this option will not be available.
Full Approval
The submitted plan receives full approval from the county. Please note, that the consultant and applicant must also receive these related approvals:
- Land disturbance permit in ELM portal (from Environmental Engineering prior to construction)
- Utilities connections in ELM portal (from Utilities for water and sewer components of development)
- VDOT Land Use Permit (PDF) (for any work within the public right-of-way)
Minor Site Plan Review Process
The minor site plan review process was developed as incentive to encourage small business development and reinvestment in commercial properties. By easing the time and cost of the typical site plan review, owners are encouraged to make improvements to their properties, which will facilitate their business goals and improve the vitality of the Chesterfield community.
Minor Site Plan Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Parcels that meet the following 10 minimum eligibility requirements may be eligible for the minor site plan review:
- Land disturbance or building addition of 2,500 to 10,000 square feet
- No water/sewer mainline extensions are required
- Industrial uses have sufficient independent water supply
- Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reviews can be handled by residency staff
- Not adjacent to residential occupied property, unless proper notification is provided
- Improvements do not require significant access changes, road improvements; or internal circulation changes
- Site has existing site improvements
- Site improvements require no buffer modifications
- Drainage improvements do not require dedication of easements to county
- Improvements meet Chesapeake Bay regulations
Inquiry Meeting - Prepare Checklist
During the inquiry meeting, the site plan review team and the applicant will review the minor site plan review checklist (PDF).
Submit Plan Documents
The applicant will submit plan documents through ELM.
Public Notifications
The applicant completes public notification via registered mail to adjacent property owners (sample letter provided in the minor site plan review checklist as guideline).
Plan Review
County staff performs application review within five business days of the date when the plan was submitted. The applicant can then retrieve all comments from the ELM portal to prepare for the virtual staff/developer conference. Plan cannot be approved prior to the end of the public notification period (15 days following receipt of registered mail).
Public Opposition
If there is no public opposition within the allotted time period, subsequent reviews continue. If opposition exists and is unresolved, the minor site plan process reverts to the major site plan process at this time.
Substantial Approval
The county offers a substantial approval (prior to full approval) once all land disturbance issues are addressed. Substantial approval allows for a land disturbance permit to be obtained and construction to start. However, should citizen concerns come forward that could impact land disturbance or start of construction, this option will not be available.
Full Approval
The submitted plan receives full approval from the county.
Plans Review Resources
- Cash Bond Acceptance Form (PDF) (Must be submitted with cash or check bonds)
- Landscape Maintenance Guarantee (PDF)
- Letter of Credit Note (PDF) (Must be on bank letterhead)
- Minor Site Plan Review Checklist (PDF)
- Notice of No Second Dwelling (PDF)
- Plant Material List - Commercial (PDF)
- Plant Material List - Residential (PDF)
- Site Improvement Performance Bond Form (PDF)