February 25, 2008

SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ALERT UPDATE
House Rules Committee to Consider “Proffer Bill” Tomorrow

2/25/2008 UPDATE:  Senate Bill 768 is expected to be considered by the House of Delegates Rules Committee tomorrow, February 26, 2008.  Delegate Kristen Amundson is Fairfax County’s representative on the committee. 

The Board of Supervisors remains deeply concerned about losing any part of its authority to negotiate proffers that would contribute to affordable housing, parks, road improvements, transit enhancements, and off-site improvements, and has reaffirmed its opposition to the bill. 

The amended version of the bill passed by the Senate would permit the Board of Supervisors to continue to use proffers within “urban development areas” designated prior to July 1, 2009.  However, the Board has not yet designated any areas in the county as “urban development areas”; any “urban development areas” designated by the Board after July 1, 2009 would be subject to the restrictions of Senate Bill 768 without special exempting legislation. The “urban development areas” designation would not apply to large areas of the county where there are still significant opportunities for proffers of cash or units for affordable housing - opportunities that would be eliminated should Senate Bill 768 become law.