The Town of Harrisburg is strongly opposing Senate Bill 205 (SB 205), a piece of legislation that threatens the local planning and zoning authority for local municipalities.
Originally introduced as a straightforward pool inspection bill, SB 205 has been altered through a Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) to include sweeping changes to planning, zoning, and development regulations without transparency or appropriate public disclosure.
On April 14, 2025, the Town of Harrisburg Town Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing House Bill 765 – legislation with nearly identical provisions. The Town of Harrisburg continues to strongly oppose these same provisions now embedded in SB 205. Those provisions are as follows:
- Removes local authorities from applying development conditions, even when developers agree to them voluntarily.
- Prohibit local standards for parking, driveways, and safety-dependent infrastructure.
- Shift the financial burden of road infrastructure from developers to local taxpayers.
- Extend unused development plan approvals from two to five years, limiting responsiveness to changing community needs.
- Eliminate elected officials from critical land use decision-making.
- Reduce review periods for zoning and development to an unmanageable seven calendar days.
- Allow repeated, costly reapplications even after a proposal is denied.
- Expand legal avenues for lawsuits against local governments based on routine planning decisions.
- Subject planning statements to court review, opening municipalities to further litigation.
- Permit homes to be occupied before subdivision roads are completed, risking public safety.
“These changes not only threaten the Town’s ability to manage growth effectively but also place unfair financial and administrative burdens on our taxpayers,” said Rob Donham, Town Manager. “This bill is a clear attempt to strip local governments of the authority to shape the growth and safety of our communities. We urge legislators to withdraw this bill in its entirety and support legislation that respects the voices of our local communities.”
The Town of Harrisburg is encouraging all residents to contact their state lawmakers and urge them to oppose SB 205. To find and contact your representative, visit www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators.