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Richmond council endorses state bill requiring developers to show water capacity for dense projects
Summary
Council adopted a resolution supporting House Bill H7446, asking that developers show both water availability and capacity before receiving density bonuses; staff will forward the resolution to the sponsor and committee.
The Richmond Town Council voted March 31 to support House Bill H7446, a state measure that would require developers seeking density bonuses for low‑ and moderate‑income housing to provide competent evidence not only of water availability but also of adequate system capacity.
Vice President Reynolds introduced the resolution and planning staff advised the council that the change would give municipalities stronger grounds to require demonstration of both availability and capacity before granting density increases.
Councilors directed staff to send the adopted resolution to the bill sponsor and the House committees handling municipal government and housing.
Why it matters: In this region some councilors said density increases have outpaced municipal water capacity and that the bill would provide an additional local tool to ensure projects do not strain water supply or water-quality infrastructure.
