HB 361 Summary

• Requires New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties to adopt expedited review processes for land use plans by March 1, 2021, for office, business park, manufacturing, or industrial projects meeting either threshold: more than 75,000 square feet of new space or creation of at least 60 new full-time permanent jobs.

• Expedited review timeline must allow for review, final approval, and recordation of a land use plan within 6 months of submission, provided all non-County permits and approvals have been obtained.

• Excludes residential and commercial retail projects from expedited review eligibility.

• Counties may charge up to $15,000 as a one-time expedited review fee, and the Office of State Planning may require a one-time $5,000 fee from applicants for disbursement to state agencies.

• Expedited review plans receive priority over standard review plans; participation in expedited review is optional for qualifying applicants; state agencies must use best efforts to timely review expedited plans.