This bill amends existing zoning regulations to enhance the treatment of multi-family housing and mixed-use development on commercially zoned land by municipalities. Key changes include the removal of the phrase "Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary," and the insertion of definitions and clarifications regarding "multi-family dwelling units" and "infrastructure." The bill specifies that municipalities must allow multi-family dwelling units on commercially zoned land, provided that adequate infrastructure, defined as capital facilities owned or operated by the municipality, is available. The determination of adequate infrastructure will be made by local planning boards or governing bodies.

Additionally, the bill allows municipalities to restrict residential development in industrial zones and mandates that a portion of ground-floor space in mixed-use developments be dedicated to retail or similar uses. It also permits the conversion of nonconforming structures to multi-family residential or mixed-use developments, as long as these structures do not become more nonconforming. Municipalities are required to allow adaptive reuse and mixed-use development in a majority of commercially zoned areas, with discretion to determine appropriate land areas. The act will take effect 60 days after passage, and it is expected to result in an indeterminable increase in municipal spending, likely under $10,000 per municipality, for updating local zoning ordinances.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 674:80
HB1065 text: 674:80