A proposal from Sen. Shelly Short (R–Addy) that makes changes to Urban Growth Area (UGA) designations moves to the House. SB 5593 creates a process for counties to swap land inside the UGA for lands outside the UGA under the following circumstances:

• The total revised UGA may not result in an increase in the surface area of the original UGA;
• Areas added to a UGA may not have been designated as agricultural, forest, or mineral lands of long-term commercial significance;
• Less than 15% of the lands added to the UGA are critical areas;
• Areas added to the UGA must be suitable for urban growth and must not be larger than needed to meet the growth needed over the succeeding 20-year planning period; and
• The new UGA must be continuous, and areas removed may not include urban growth or densities.

We expect more amendments to this proposal if it continues to move forward.

Date to remember

SB 5593 is scheduled for hearing in the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday, February 22 at 10 am and for a committee vote the following day at the same time.