Virginia proffer legislation is changing this year.
Gov. Ralph Northam approved a bill that will make revisions to the 2016 Proffer Law on Thursday.
The law has had differing effects across the state.
Some communities have been able to process and approve residential rezoning applications, according to a release from Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV). Others, however, have struggled to handle the impact developments have had on facilities.
Concerns were also raised about the ability for localities to communicate with the industry.
“Housing is a critical component of a robust economy and right now, demand for new housing far surpasses available supply — that stark reality has serious implications for housing affordability and economic development,” HBAV Vice President of Government Relations Andrew Clark said in a release. “We are hopeful that this legislation will re-open the lines of communication between the industry and local governments about a residential development’s impact on local infrastructure.”
Clark discussed proposed proffer legislation changes at a meeting the Prince William Chamber of Commerce hosted in November.
Adding a section about localities not requiring “an unreasonable proffer” is one of the changes.
Unreasonable proffers are offers that don’t address the impact of a proposed residential development.
The legislation will allow applicants to turn in an onsite or offsite proffer that they consider “reasonable” and “appropriate,” as well.
Officials also plan to add a statement that says no part of the bill should be interpreted as prohibiting communication between applicants and localities.
Proffer legislation changes will affect rezoning applications submitted on or after July 1.
