Planning Director Wood to retire in May, county close to hiring successor

MORGANTOWN — Monongalia County Commissioner Ed Hawkins said the county has submitted an  offer to a prospective new director of the county’s planning office.
While Hawkins said the county’s proposal was “favorably reviewed,” the hire has not yet been finalized.
A special meeting  is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 9 in the planning office’s conference room —  Room 110, on the first floor of the Monongalia County Courthouse. The only issue on the agenda is the hiring of a new director.
The process of filling the job began in January, when Richard Wood, the county’s director of planning for the last eight-plus years, announced his upcoming retirement.
“I started here in July of 2010, but I officially became director in November of 2010,” Wood said, explaining that he has more than 40 years in the industry. “I’ll turn 66 on April 29, which is a Monday. I’ll finish off that week and retire on May 3.”
Wood said his initial retirement plans include tending to some deferred maintenance on his property, in Fairmont, followed by visits to family and friends.
“Eventually I’d like to head out west and visit the national parks. I’ve never been to Yellowstone. I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been to  Glacier or Yosemite, so I’d like to see those places,” he said.
As for Monongalia County, Wood said his time here has been both enjoyable and challenging.
During Wood’s tenure the county implemented its first and only zoned district — the West Run Planning District.
Attempts to implement zoning in Cheat Lake, Cheat Neck and Stewartstown were either voted down or abandoned mid-process.
Hawkins said he believes sentiment could be changing in that regard.
“Sometimes, given a bit of time and looking at what you might have gained can change your perspective,” Hawkins said. “I’ve fielded two phone calls in the last few days indicative of people wanting to take this up again. Now, I don’t know that they will. It is a process, but we’ll see.”
The county will also likely take another crack at implementing subdivision regulations in the coming weeks.
Wood noted that he and Planner Patricia Booth have worked “literally for years,” to get the regulations to a place where they could be implemented. The regulations are currently being vetted by a third-party contractor and are expected back later this month.
Wood went on to say that planning work has come a long way since the days of typists and poring over maps with pencils and tracing paper, but the work is as important as it’s ever been.
Hawkins agreed, noting Wood’s efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“We certainly appreciate everything that Rich has done. He really has served the county well and we wish him the best in his retirement,” he said.