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River Heights adopts new subdivision code to comply with state SB 174; effective Dec. 31
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 6, 2024, to overhaul subdivision rules and implement a two-step administrative approval process (Planning Commission preliminary review, ALUA/DRC final review) to comply with state Senate Bill 174; the ordinance will become effective Dec. 31 to meet the state deadline.
The River Heights City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 6, 2024, revising the city—s subdivision code to implement changes required by state law (Senate Bill 174). Consultant Mark Vlasik of Landmark Design briefed the council on the state-driven requirements: a two-step process with a preliminary review (Planning Commission) and a final administrative approval by a designated administrative land use authority (ALUA) and a Development Review Committee (DRC). Vlasik said the state—s timeline requires local adoption by Dec. 31 to avoid noncompliance.
Key changes adopted include designation of an ALUA for final approvals (with restrictions on participation by elected legislators), clear deadlines for preliminary and final review (15 and 20 days respectively), limits on review cycles, and an appeals process that includes an engineer-led panel for public-improvement disputes. The ordinance also reduces the maximum security performance the city may require for public improvements (from 150% to 110% of estimated cost).
Council members discussed practical implementation items: how the DRC will be composed (city attorney, public works director, city engineer and a citizen planner), appointment and possible compensation of citizen planners, and the developer-paid review costs and limits the state permits. After questions and discussion, the council approved the ordinance; the council also set its effective date to Dec. 31, 2024, at a member—s request to give staff time to prepare administrative checklists and procedures.
Next steps: staff will publish ordinance materials, assemble checklists for the Planning Commission and DRC, and prepare appointment processes for a citizen planner and the ALUA/DRC membership so the administrative process can be implemented.
