This bill amends the Community Development Law in Nebraska, introducing significant changes to the definitions and criteria related to blighted areas and affordable housing. It redefines "affordable housing" and "blighted area," establishing new criteria for identifying blighted areas, particularly focusing on underdeveloped parcels within a city's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction that have remained undeveloped for over twenty-five years. The bill also sets limits on the percentage of land that can be designated as blighted for various classes of cities and villages, while emphasizing the importance of public interest in combating blight for the social and economic well-being of communities.

Additionally, the bill modifies the process for tax divisions related to redevelopment projects, allowing for longer tax division periods in extremely blighted areas and mandating that at least thirty percent of funds from certain redevelopment projects be allocated to single-family housing for low-income occupants. It streamlines the approval process for redevelopment plans by allowing expedited reviews for projects that meet specific criteria, including those located within a city's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. The bill outlines a structured process for expedited reviews, including submission requirements, decision timelines, and the governing body's authority to limit the number of plans approved annually, thereby facilitating quicker implementation of redevelopment initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18-2102, 18-2103, 18-2108, 18-2123, 18-2123.01, 18-2147, 18-2155