Brownsburg staff warn state bill would curb local zoning; town drafting opt-out ordinance

Town of Brownsburg leaders and planning volunteers met in a special joint training session where staff described a pending state measure they said would limit local zoning controls and outlined steps the town is preparing to protect review authority.

Town Manager Deb Cook told meeting attendees that House Bill 1,001 "limits zoning local zoning regulations" and would bar municipalities from imposing certain residential requirements such as building materials, lot sizes, density and setbacks. She and land use consultant Elizabeth Williams said the bill could allow some residential projects to be approved without local hearings.

The warning was central to a broader presentation on planning roles. Williams said staff are drafting an ordinance to "opt out" of parts of the bill where state law allows and planned to present that draft to the council. "There are things in that that are very concerning," Williams said, and she advised boards and commissions to be aware of potential changes to local review authority.

Deb Cook and other speakers also stressed that it is unclear whether the proposed changes would lower housing prices. Cook said she has not seen data showing the bill would reduce costs to homebuyers and told attendees, "I don't see how that's gonna lower the cost to the end user."

Attendees were directed to consider advocacy options; Cook noted a model letter drafted by Advisory Planning Commission President Brett Scouten has been circulated for members who wish to contact legislators. The presentation also included other pending legislation the town is watching, including SEA 1 and a House Bill referenced as 1210, which staff said could affect municipal funding.

The meeting concluded without any formal local action on the legislation; staff emphasized next steps would be to finalize the draft ordinance and bring it to council for consideration.