ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
county infill
incentives
Authorizes a county board of supervisors to designate and establish an infill incentive district in any unincorporated area to encourage redevelopment.
Infill development is the process of developing vacant or under-used parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed. Infill development contributes to a more compact form of development which is less consumptive of land and resources. Many communities across the country are using infill development to address urban sprawl and low-density growth.
In 2000, the Legislature enacted the Growing Smarter Plus Act to address local planning, citizen participation in planning, use and management of state trust lands, acquisition of open space and protection of private property rights (Laws 2000, 4th Special Session, Chapter 1). This legislation also allowed the governing body of a municipality to create an infill incentive district to encourage redevelopment in the district.
H.B. 2105 allows a county board of supervisors to establish an infill incentive district in any unincorporated area of a county.
There is no fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this legislation.
1. Authorizes a county board of supervisors (board) to designate an infill incentive district in any unincorporated area that meets at least three of the following requirements:
a) There are large numbers of vacant, older or dilapidated structures.
b) There are large numbers of vacant or underused parcels of property that are of small or inappropriate sizes or that are environmentally contaminated, that are owned by different owners and that are located in an area that lacks the presence of development and investment activity compared to other areas in the county.
c) There are large numbers of parcels of property or buildings where nuisances exist or occur.
d) There is a high occurrence of crime.
e) There is a continuing decline in population.
2. Requires the board, before establishing the district, to identify the boundaries of the proposed district, notify property owners or mangers, publish notice in the newspaper and hold a public hearing to provide information and receive comments. Details notice requirements.
3. Allows the board to establish the district by adopting a resolution stating the reasons for the establishment and the conditions that qualify the area for a district, if, after the hearing, the Board determines that the public interest, convenience and welfare will be served by the establishment of the district.
4. Requires the board to adopt an infill incentive plan to encourage redevelopment in the district, if the board establishes a district.
5. Requires the plan to emphasize voluntary incentives, including, if appropriate, continuing traditional rural and agricultural enterprise.
6. Allows the plan to include expedited zoning or rezoning procedures, expedited processing of plans and proposals, waivers of county and county improvement district fees and assessments for development activities and waivers of development standards and procedural requirements.
7. Stipulates that the plan shall not impair the ability of utilities to provide electricity, water, natural gas or other services in accordance with health, safety and industry standards, including service growth.
8. Prohibits the district from being in violation of the requirements of the county comprehensive plan.
9. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by Committee
1. Prohibits the district from impairing the ability of utilities to provide services.
2. Prohibits the district from being in violation of the county comprehensive plan.
CM 1/29/02 DP 10-0-0-0 GOV 3/15/02 DPA 4-0-2
PIRA 2/5/02 DP 10-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/18/02 52-0-8-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 26, 2002