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Commissioners explain HUD 'urban county' designation as CDBG funding mechanism amid resident concerns
Summary
At the meeting commissioners provided a HUD fact sheet and said an 'urban county' (entitlement) designation pertains to Community Development Block Grant administration and not to local zoning, while residents warned the label could fast‑track large industrial projects.
During public comment and board correspondence on Jan. 27, several residents expressed alarm about a potential HUD "urban county" designation and the effect they fear it could have on local land use and development. The board supplied a fact sheet explaining that "urban county" is a federal designation for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement status and that, as described by county staff, it does not transfer zoning authority or reclassify township land‑use powers.
Commissioner Jeff Riddell emphasized the distinction: "The urban designation you are talking about is from HUD (housing and urban development) and is for management of the community block grant funds. Our designation of being new as a urban county is merely a recognition to the fact this county has grown that we qualify." Residents, including Amanda Quimper and Dave Roberts, reiterated concerns that the label could be used to justify industrial development and higher‑density zoning; commissioners said the designation would increase CDBG funding targeted to low‑income housing repairs, demolition of blight and similar community programs and does not itself change local zoning.
No formal action to pursue or reject the HUD designation was recorded at the meeting; commissioners said they would provide the fact sheet to attendees and answer follow‑up questions.
