HB 379 -- Missouri County Planning Act

Sponsor:  Sutherland

This bill establishes the Missouri County Planning Act.  In its
main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Allows for the establishment of a county planning commission
comprised of appointed members to prepare a comprehensive plan
for the county.  The planning commission may be established
either directly by the county commission or by voter petition and
approval;

(2)  Specifies the powers and duties of the planning commission;

(3)  Specifies the elements of the comprehensive plan and the
procedures for its consideration, hearing, and adoption by the
planning commission and the county commission;

(4)  Authorizes the planning commission to recommend subdivision
regulations after a public hearing and authorizes the county
commission to adopt the regulations;

(5)  Authorizes the planning commission to adopt a major street
plan for all unincorporated areas of the county in accordance
with the transportation element of the comprehensive plan;

(6)  Authorizes the planning commission to recommend zoning
regulations for all unincorporated areas of the county in
accordance with the comprehensive plan after a public hearing and
authorizes the county commission to adopt the regulations upon
voter approval;

(7)  Requires counties that have adopted zoning regulations under
the bill to appoint a county board of zoning adjustment to hear
and decide appeals of zoning decisions and applications for
variances.  The hearing and appeal procedures are specified;

(8)  Specifies that violations of any regulations adopted under
the bill are misdemeanors and authorizes certain counties to
impose fines for these violations;

(9)  Authorizes the grandfathering of actual lawful uses of
property in existence on August 28, 2009;

(10)  Authorizes counties to enter into cooperative agreements
with public or private entities for the exercise and performance
of the established planning powers, duties, and functions; and

(11)  Specifies that nothing contained in the bill will affect
the existence or validity of a county ordinance or order adopted
prior to August 28, 2009.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am