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Cornelius board adopts resolution opposing House Bill 765, citing threats to local land‑use authority
Summary
The Town Board approved a resolution opposing House Bill 765 in its current draft, saying the bill would limit local land‑use controls, require certain multifamily allowances by right, and create rapid approval timelines; staff and board members said the bill "dismantles local land use planning as we know it."
The Cornelius Town Board voted May 5 to adopt a resolution opposing House Bill 765 in its current form, saying the draft bill would substantially curtail local land‑use authority and planning tools. Deputy Manager Wayne Herron summarized staff concerns and recommended the resolution be circulated to state legislators, the league and Metro Mayors.
Why it matters: HB 765, as described by town staff, would change how municipalities regulate development — possibly requiring multifamily residential allowances by right at specified densities, shortening local approval timelines, and restricting local design controls — changes the town said would reduce local discretion to address traffic, infrastructure, and neighborhood compatibility.
Deputy Manager Wayne Herron told the board the bill "dismantles local land use planning as we know it today," summarizing provisions that staff view as harmful to local control: constraints on requiring specific street cross sections, potential mandates to approve developments within 90 days, and requirements to allow residential development by right in many non‑agricultural districts at densities of four to five units per acre. Herron said the bill originally included language about developer impact fees but that the impact‑fee language had been removed; other land‑use changes remain. Herron said Representative Jeff Zinger (District 74) sponsored the bill and that Representative Beth Helfrich's office had acknowledged Cornelius' concerns.
The board unanimously approved the resolution by voice vote. Herron said staff will forward the town resolution to state legislators, the League of Municipalities and Metro Mayors for advocacy and tracking.
