Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/05/2011

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Zoning Bulletin March 10, 2011 I Volume 5 1 No. 5 MASSACHUSETTS Pending before the state legislature is a bill —the Land Use Reform and Protection Act —that would "reform the state's zoning laws to make it easier to preserve open space, build affordable housing and mixed -use developments in community centers and ensure that cities and towns are 'more livable and walkable' with sidewalks and accommodations for bicycles." Source: Boston Herald; httb://news.bostonherald.com OHIO Madeira is reportedly considering "dark -sky" zoning legislation. The legislation would require "outdoor lights to be shielded and to be directed downward instead of upward." One councilman reported that the legislation "probably would affect only public property initially." Proponents of the legislation sight benefits to the environment and cost -savings. Source: Cincinnati.com; httb://news.cincinnati.com VIRGINIA The state senate recently passed a "controversial aquaculture bill" — Senate Bill 1190. The bill, which now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration, would "roll commercial aquaculture activities under the protections of the Virginia Right to Farm Act." Opponents of the bill have claimed the bill "would strip local authority over zoning issues." The bill essentially "introduces aquaculture into farming regulations that prevent localities from adopting ordinances requiring special exceptions or use permits for agriculture -related activities in areas where zoning al- lows agriculture." Source: Daily Press; httb://articles.dailvvress.com WEST VIRGINIA House Bill 2871, which recently passed the House of Delegates, pro- vides that a "brownfield economic development district may not be ap- proved unless the district conforms to a county's or municipality's plan- ning and zoning laws." The bill will now be considered by the state senate. Source: The Journal; www.iournal-news.net © 2011 Thomson Reuters 11