This bill proposes several updates to the current statutes regarding municipal zoning for multifamily residential development and adaptive reuse of commercial properties. Under the new provisions, municipalities with populations of 150,000 or more will be required to establish objective standards for multifamily residential development or adaptive reuse of existing commercial, office, or mixed-use parcels within ninety days of the bill's effective date. The bill mandates that at least ten percent of these parcels be available for such development, allowing municipalities to analyze and adjust this percentage every ten years. Additionally, the bill prohibits municipalities from designating individual parcels for development or excluding parcels from eligibility based on sound levels below 65 decibels.

The bill also modifies existing definitions and requirements related to multifamily residential development and adaptive reuse. It removes certain criteria from the definitions of low-income and moderate-income housing, specifically the stipulation that housing costs should not exceed 30 percent of a household's gross income. Furthermore, it clarifies that setback and height requirements for new developments must align with existing zoning codes, while also allowing for greater height in certain areas. The bill aims to streamline the process for municipalities to facilitate multifamily housing development while ensuring that existing structures can be adapted for new uses without excessive regulatory burdens.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-462.10
House Engrossed Version: 9-462.10
Chaptered Version: 9-462.10