Ada County Seal
A A A
Home > News > Ada County Announces the Implementation of a Streamlined Final Plat Review Process

Ada County Announces the Implementation of a Streamlined Final Plat Review Process

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2018

Contact: Kristi Furman
Interim Public Information Officer
208-287-7008

 

Ada County Announces the Implementation of a
Streamlined Final Plat Review Process

The Collaborative Effort Grew to Include 24 Participants Including Representation from
Ada County, Cities, ACHD, Developers, Title Company, and the Building Contractors Association

(Boise, ID) – Ada County is pleased to announce the implementation of a streamlined Final Plat review process resulting in shortening the review and approval process – and achieving efficiencies for both the public and private sectors.

The collaborative effort involving various stakeholders and spearheaded by Boise Elevated, was initiated in mid-2016 to improve the Ada County final plat process in a manner that benefits both the public and private sector by implementing modifications to public agency policies and practices where appropriate. A Work Group was formed comprising elected officials, staff from Ada County, ACHD, Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Meridian, and Kuna, and representatives from the development industry. “The purpose of this effort was to streamline the recordation of the final plat; thereby getting under construction 3-5 months sooner which in turn gets the property on the tax rolls 3-5 months sooner,” stated, Doug Fowler, Boise Elevated board member and the development manager for Harris Ranch.

The testing phase involved a concurrent review process that was tested with the Howry Lane Subdivisions 2 and 3 Plats, and which allows those who wish, to submit plats with an authorization letter from ACHD in lieu of signature. “When representatives from the business community identified an opportunity to streamline the plat recording process, all of the cities in Ada County, Ada County Highway District, Assessor’s Office, along with Ada County Development Services worked together to create a solution that will cut down on administration costs for all of the jurisdictions while reducing unnecessary duplication of costs for the business community. Because of the hard work of representatives from the cities, ACHD, and the County, taxpayers and ultimately home buyers will save money,” stated, Mark Tate, Project Manager for M3.

The workgroup recently completed the final plat test case which was to modify the ACHD – Ada County process that will reduce surety requirements.

Ada County Development Services is now ready to open up the concurrent review process tested with Howry Lane Subdivisions 2 and 3 to all applicants. Plats will be accepted in accordance with the Final Plat Review Submittal Form.  If an applicant elects to proceed without acquiring the required signature of the Ada County Highway District (ACHD), they will be required to submit an authorization letter from ACHD indicating that the District has reviewed the final plat and that the project substantially meets all ACHD’s requirements excluding the completion of construction. “At a time when Ada County is experiencing record growth, I think that it is momentous that a group from local governments and the private sector could work together collaboratively to develop a streamlined final plat review process that will save both taxpayers and developers substantial time and money,” stated, Bruce S. Wong, Director for ACHD.

Additional information about the workgroup, its goals and accomplishments, and the anticipated benefits of the project is available at: https://www.boise-elevated.com/initiatives

Ada County Development Services has made additional modifications to the final plat review process based on collaboration with this workgroup. Forms and information regarding the streamlined process is available at Ada County Development Services: https://adacounty.id.gov/Development-Services/Surveying-Division/Plat-Review-Information

In summarizing the benefits experienced by Development Services staff, Megan Leatherman, Director, Ada County Development Services, shared, “The team has streamlined their processes and adjusted reviews, so that plats get through the initial review process in a very quick time frame of 3 days and the resubmittal is 1 day (for a quality plat). This has already made a huge impact on our community, as it spurs economic growth, and will only continue to improve the quality of life we enjoy here in Ada County.

The sentiment of the group’s efforts was shared by all, “It is great to work with people who want to make a difference and fix processes, even when it’s ‘the way we’ve always done it’.”

(Ada County Final Plat Workgroup members – pictured Left to Right: Doug Fowler, LeNir Ltd.; Todd Tucker, City of Boise (Boise Hunter Homes as of August 20); Megan Leatherman, Ada County; Bob Taunton, Taunton Group, LLC; Anjanette Sabin, LeNir Ltd.; Richard Beck, Ada County; Sarah Martz, SEM Consulting; T. Hethe Clark, Spink Butler LLP; Chad Hamel, Grossman Company Properties; and Dean Shafer, Pioneer Title Co.)