This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding zoning for residential housing developments on eligible sites owned by religious institutions. Under the new provisions, any single-family or multifamily residential development that meets specific criteria—including distance from neighboring sites, parking requirements, and proximity to heavy industrial use—would be considered an allowed use development, overriding local zoning ordinances. The bill also establishes height, setback, and lot coverage requirements for these developments, ensuring they align with existing municipal or county regulations or set specific limits if those regulations are less stringent.

Additionally, the bill mandates that at least 40% of the units in these developments be allocated to low-income households for a period of 55 years, unless conflicting local ordinances or grant requirements exist. It also requires religious institutions to notify the county assessor if the property is no longer used for tax-exempt purposes. The bill restricts municipalities and counties from imposing additional regulations beyond those specified in the new sections, streamlining the approval process for these developments by allowing for administrative approval of necessary permits without public hearings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-462.14, 11-820.05, 42-11152