Aberdeen board adopts resolution opposing state bills that would curb local zoning power

The Aberdeen Town board unanimously approved Resolution 26-06 opposing pending state legislation that would, according to speakers, limit local planning and zoning authority and impose potential liabilities on local officials.

A board member introduced the resolution noting concerns about House Bill 765 and Senate Bill 382. A staff speaker described SB 382 as a ‘‘down zoning’’ bill that would prevent local governments from downzoning property without the owner’s permission and warned that related proposals could create liability risks for local staff. The speaker said: “It’s a bad rule… it needs to disappear,” urging the mayor or mayor pro tem to forward the resolution to the local state delegation.

Commissioners discussed past instances where similar proposals did not pass and emphasized the importance of communicating the town’s position to state legislators. The motion to approve the resolution passed and the mayor or mayor pro tem was authorized to sign and forward it to the town’s state delegation.