Bill urging cities, counties to work together worthwhile

NEIGHBORING GOVERNMENTS must cooperate to address common problems and regional issues.

A bill approved by the House seeks to help that process along by fostering communication between local governments. While it doesn’t require regional cooperation, it does encourage governments to talk with each other about planning and zoning as well as key infrastructure, such as roads and water and sewer lines.

Governments in the Midlands — for example, Columbia and Richland County or the town of Lexington and Lexington County — could benefit from more cooperation. Not only would it limit disputes, but it could result in more efficient, cost-effective services.

Rep. Ben Hagood, R-Charleston, who proposed the bill, said tax dollars could be saved by improving the planning process for public infrastructure.

Among other things, the bill would require cities and counties to expand their master plans, which state law requires jurisdictions with zoning to prepare, to include a transportation element and a priority investment component that analyzes money available for new water and sewer lines, roads and schools, and outlines a 10-year plan for those projects. It also requires cities and counties to notify neighboring governments formally about their plans and allow them to comment. There’s no penalty if governments don’t give notice. It won’t invalidate a plan or be grounds for a lawsuit.

But it doesn’t make sense for governments not to share information. Officials would be foolish to allow turf and politics to prevent them from working together in the best interest of taxpayers.

An intriguing part of the bill is its focus on increasing affordable housing. In some cities, such as Columbia, housing prices are escalating and pushing poor and moderate-income families out. The bill recommends that cities and counties review regulations that might add cost to developing affordable housing but aren’t necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The idea is to make changes that might encourage the construction of more affordable housing.

The legislation also encourages local governments to consider instituting market-based incentives to encourage affordable housing. Some examples include:

• Allowing developers to build at a higher density than ordinarily permitted, through density bonuses.

• Allowing the purchase of density by paying into a local housing trust fund.

• Relaxing zoning rules, such as minimum lot sizes, limitations of multi-family dwellings, minimum set backs and parking requirements.

• Waiving certain fees, such as those for sewer and water taps.

• Fast-tracking permitting processes to reduce cost and time delays.

Some of these are particularly effective in promoting in-fill housing in cities where land is scarce.

This bill encourages cities and counties to work together to improve their communities while not forcing anything on them. It also nudges communities toward improving their affordable housing stock.

Frankly, governments shouldn’t have to be cajoled into working across the arbitrary boundaries that separate them to improve constituents’ quality of life. This bill serves as a friendly catalyst to improve coordination and help promote orderly, sensible development. The Senate should approve it.

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