HB 816 (Helmer) failed to pass on the Senate Floor (17-22), and rather than taking a final vote on SB 454 (VanValkenburg), the House of Delegates referred the bill back to House Counties, Cities and Towns where it was left in committee with no further action.
Both bills would have required local zoning ordinances to allow for the by-right development and construction of multifamily residential and mixed-use residential development on at least 50 percent of all land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications and that … are served by public water and sewer or are located within an area designated for public water and sewer service in the locality’s comprehensive plan. The bill also (1) requires that the zoning ordinance provisions must exempt any proposed development that converts an existing building to a multifamily residential use from any setback, height, or frontage requirements; and (2) prohibits localities from approving any commercial or business use on a property adjacent to the approved multifamily residential development that is different from the use that had been established at the time the multifamily residential development was approved.
The bills were 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). There are 34 Virginia counties currently located within designated MPOs.
VACo opposed the legislation and thanks members for their advocacy in supporting local land-use decisions.
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP