A number of local government attorneys have been asking tough questions about HB 374 and SB  632, identical bills which became effective law on July 1.  2010 Va Acts of Assembly ch. 549,  2010 Va Acts of Assembly ch. 613.

In his campaign, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell proposed privatization of the state-owned ABC (liquor) stores as one way to raise revenue without raising taxes.  It is important to remember that taking a use that is now public and making it private has repercusions under local land use law and can have concerns for the citizens.

On May 19, a team of great folks at Sands Anderson and our special guest Karen Harwood conducted a webinar on the State of Vested Rights (in Zoning), 2010 — the first installment of an ongoing series called the Sands Anderson Land Use Forum.  We’ve been busy!  (This will explain, in part, the length of time since my [...]

One thing that we have all seen as local government lawyers is the ability of a large (and sometimes even a small) group of vocal citizens to alter the results of a vote on a rezoning or other local ordinance. To me, this involvement is healthy. Citizen involvement is a hallmark of local government, the [...]