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Land-use bill limits 'sensitive lands' criteria in county growth policies; local governments and conservation groups oppose
Summary
House Bill 889 would restrict counties from including subjective 'sensitive lands' criteria (aesthetics, visibility, traditional use) in growth policies outside city limits. Proponents argued for private-property protections; local governments, planners and conservation groups warned it would override local planning and undercut protections for wildlife, flooding and wildfire risk.
Representative Jedidiah Hinkle told the committee HB889 is intended to prevent subjective or aesthetic designations from becoming de facto land‑use restrictions that can limit property owners’ future options. "Sensitive land designation is very broad and vague," Hinkle said, describing cases where growth plans or future land‑use maps could effectively prevent development based on aesthetic judgments.
Proponents—ranchers, rural residents and local…
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