PEC is asking that you contact your Delegate and request that they oppose Senate Bill 5106. This legislation would extend the sunset date for various local land use approvals (plats, rezonings, special use permits and exceptions, etc.) that were valid as of July 1, 2020 for another 2 years (until at least July 1, 2022).

This legislation is being pushed by the homebuilders and commercial developers hoping to take advantage of the pandemic to get a blanket 2-year state extension on local land use approvals. This state override of local authority ignores the fact there is already a process for requesting extensions at the local level. Furthermore, we know of no local government that has failed to meet an appropriate request for an extension due to the pandemic.

SB 5106 passed the Senate Floor on August 28 and is now before the House.