Bill > SB721

This bill proposes several significant changes to local government land use approval processes in Virginia. The legislation aims to streamline and expedite land development reviews by local planning commissions and governments. Key provisions include prohibiting localities from using the comprehensive plan as a basis for disapproving site plans that otherwise meet adopted standards, establishing automatic approval mechanisms for certain land use applications if local governments fail to act within specified timeframes, and reducing the time localities have to initially act on proposed zoning ordinance amendments from 12 months to four months. Specifically, if a local planning commission does not approve or disapprove a plat, site plan, or preliminary subdivision plat within the prescribed timeframes (and the locality has published clear submittal requirements), the proposed plan will be automatically deemed approved. The bill also requires local governments to act on previously disapproved zoning amendments within 45 days of resubmission and limits the grounds on which they can re-evaluate resubmitted plans. These changes are intended to create more predictability and efficiency in local land use approval processes, potentially reducing bureaucratic delays for developers and property owners.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?251+sum+SB721