H. C. R. 32--"Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to appoint an interim committee to study planning and zoning in West Virginia."
Whereas, West Virginia's planning legislation may not be adequate to deal with the State's development and planning needs; and
Whereas, Good planning practices and land use regulations are basic tools for both stimulating and controlling growth and development; and
Whereas, The absence of planning in much of the State has led to the loss of scarce prime industrial lands, environmental threats to communities and natural and scenic resources, haphazard development in many areas, and retarded growth in the property tax base; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to create the Land Use Planning Study Committee to provide an appropriate forum for the thorough review and consideration of planning legislation and its relationship to the State's goals of economic growth, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. This committee shall consist of fifteen members: Three members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Labor and Environmental Resources, who shall serve as chair; and eight members appointedby the Governor because of their expertise in the following areas: Business, industry, mineral extraction, planning, local government, citizen advocacy, environmental advocacy, recreation and tourism, community development and economic development; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study include a review and examination of both the strengths and the weaknesses of the planning laws in this State, and of the means to furnish West Virginia communities with the necessary tools to provide for the orderly development of communities, and that the committee make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee report its findings, recommendations and conclusions, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendation, to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by the 1994 Regular Session of the Legislature; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.