By votes of 64-35 and 21-19, HB 816 (Helmer) and SB 454 (VanValkenburg) passed in the House and Senate and head to their respective committees after crossover. The bills require local zoning ordinances to allow for the by-right development and construction of multifamily residential and mixed-use residential development on at least 75 percent of all land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications. SB 454 was amended in committee to limit its application to cities and towns having a population of more than 20,000, or any locality within a federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO). Thirty-three Virginia counties are currently located within designated MPOs.
ACTION REQUESTED
- The bills cross over with both soon to be heard – HB 816 in the Senate Local Government Committee, and SB 454 in the House Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee.
- Contact members of the Senate Local Government Committee and the House Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee to Oppose SB 454 and HB 816.
KEY POINTS
- Through the implementation of comprehensive plans, capital improvement programs, and land use ordinances, counties have made strategic investments to provide for managed growth in business, jobs, and housing.
- Counties, in partnership with developers, have successfully implemented mixed use developments that include both commercial and residential components.
- A mandate to allow for multi-family residential use on land planned and zoned for commercial and business growth, invalidates publicly invested time and money, and ignores the role of counties in making wise land use decisions for their communities.
KEY CONTACTS
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP