BILL NUMBER: S8730
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general city law, the village law and the town law,
in relation to the adoption or amendment of comprehensive rezoning plans
by cities, villages, and towns
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill clarifies that comprehensive rezonings shall fulfill the
requirement of municipalities to comprehensively plan
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 defines "comprehensive rezoning plan" in city law
Section 2 allows cities to complete a comprehensive rezoning plan in
advance of general comprehensive plans as long as they consider regional
housing needs
Section 3 establishes that a comprehensive rezoning is allowed to be
adopted before a corresponding city comprehensive plan
Section 4 defines "comprehensive rezoning plan" in village law
Section 5 allows villages to complete a comprehensive rezoning plan in
advance of general comprehensive plans as long as they consider regional
housing needs
Section 6 establishes that a comprehensive rezoning is allowed to be
adopted before a corresponding village comprehensive plan
Section 7 defines "comprehensive rezoning plan" in town law
Section 8 allows towns to complete a comprehensive rezoning plan in
advance of general comprehensive plans as long as they consider regional
housing needs
Section 9 establishes that a comprehensive rezoning is allowed to be
adopted before a corresponding town comprehensive plan
Section 10 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Comprehensive rezones are a lengthy, detailed process that should engage
in rigorous public participation and expert review. Rezoning can be one
of the most effective ways for a municipality to address housing afford-
ability and create the sort of community they want to see. Many munici-
palities' zoning codes have not been comprehensively updated in many
decades, requiring an urgency during the time of a housing cost crisis
impacting the entire state.
Comprehensive plans are a useful tool, but can also be duplicative and
time and resource consuming if a municipality wants to address the
zoning that puts the housing portion of a comprehensive plan into
action. By clarifying that comprehensive rezonings are allowed before a
comprehensive plan, we are allowing municipalities to streamline the
process to enact modern regulations that result in the built environment
they want to see.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S8730: 28-a general city law, 28-a(3) general city law, 28-a(12) general city law, 7-722 village law, 7-722(2) village law, 7-722(11) village law, 272-a town law, 272-a(2) town law, 272-a(11) town law