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Committee approves training and standing changes for local planning panels
Summary
The Senate State and Local Government Committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 321 that lengthens training timelines for appointed planning officials, mandates at least one hour of housing-focused training, and limits litigation standing in zoning appeals to property owners in the same zone; the measure passed the committee 8-0.
Representative D.J. Johnson, sponsor of House Bill 321, told the Senate State and Local Government Committee the bill makes three changes affecting local planning commissions and boards of adjustment. "House bill 3 21 as amended does 3 things," Johnson said, explaining the measure lengthens time for appointed members to complete initial orientation and continuing education and adds training about housing impacts.
The bill requires that "individuals receive at least 1 hour of training focused on housing at both the initial orientation and for each period of continuing education," Johnson said. Gracie Kelly, director of government affairs for the Kentucky League of Cities, was listed as a supporter; Johnson also said the Kentucky Realtors Association supported the measure.
Senator Mills, who explained the committee substitute, said the sub addresses delays in development tied to litigation. "The committee sub says, any person or entity claiming to be injured or aggrieved by any final action of a board of adjustment and that owns real property within the same zone where the property that is the subject of the final action is located shall appeal that action to the circuit court," Mills said, describing a narrower class of parties who can sue over board decisions.
Committee members voted to adopt the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 321 in committee by a vote of 8 to 0. The committee did not amend the bill further and recommended it do pass to the full Senate.
The bill would change local training requirements and the scope of who can challenge board of adjustment actions in circuit court; details such as implementation timeline for the training and any costs to local governments were not specified during the committee discussion.
