HOUSE BILL NO. 5094 Offered September 21, 2006 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.1, relating to comprehensive plan; urban development areas. ----------
Patrons-- Athey, Marshall, R.G., Albo, Cole, Cosgrove, Gear, Hamilton, Howell, W.J., Lingamfelter, Sherwood and Wardrup
---------- Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-2223.1 as follows:

§ 15.2-2223.1.  Comprehensive plan to include urban development areas.

A.  Every county shall amend its comprehensive plan to incorporate one or more proposed urban development areas.  For purposes of this section, an urban development area is an area designated by a county that is predominantly undeveloped and that is adjacent to a city, town or other developed area.  The comprehensive plan shall designate one or more urban development areas sufficient to meet projected residential growth in the county for the ensuing 10-year period.  Future growth shall be based on the projections of the Weldon Cooper Center.  The comprehensive plan shall call for commercial and residential densities within urban development areas that are appropriate for reasonably compact development, including residential densities of three units per acre or greater. 

B.  All development within an urban development area shall immediately become eligible for inclusion within any adjacent urban transportation service district created pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-2400 et seq.) of Chapter 24 of Title 15.2, and maintenance of public roads within the urban development area shall become the responsibility of the county.

C.  Comprehensive plans shall also be amended to incorporate the opportunity for development based on the principles of new urbanism within urban development areas.  For purposes of this section, such principles shall include development that promotes (i) walkability and pedestrian friendly road design, (ii) connectivity of road and pedestrian networks, (iii) mixed-use, including mixed housing types, and (iv) increased density in order to make more efficient use of services and infrastructure and to help reduce sprawl.

2.  That counties shall have until July 1, 2009, to amend their comprehensive plans in accordance with the provisions of this act.