[Test Copy] H.B. 3167 and S.B. 2370 Relating to Subdivision Review Timing and Process

Statements:

• Statement from APA Iowa on HB 3167
• Statement from APA Iowa on SB 2370

The proposed legislation, in seeking to address a perceived problem, will have the opposite effect as it removes flexibility for cities to work with applicants and cause the subdivision process to take longer. APA Iowa supports reforms to the subdivision process to streamline and eliminate red tape, even working with legislators on HB 3314 and HB 3315. HB 3167, by contrast, is ineffective reform. In consultation with our membership, APA Iowa has identified the following issues with SB 2370:

• The requirement to approve or disapprove prevents the governing body from "approving with conditions" or "disapproving pending resolution of outstanding issues administratively." Cities have use this approach to simplify resolution of outstanding comments at the administrative level rather than requiring further delay while awaiting the next available meeting of the governing body.