In the near future I plan to re-introduce legislation (formerly HB 2348) that amends the Municipalities Planning Code to make it easier for our local municipalities to allow for the building of residential homes in downtown, historic, and main street areas and assisting in addressing our housing shortage.
 
In many of Pennsylvania’s downtown areas, particularly in historic areas, when row homes need to be demolished due to neglect and blight, the lots remain empty.  Modern day setback requirements make it nearly impossible for new residential construction to fill in that lot.
 
My bill addresses the housing shortage by allowing municipalities the option to permit residential housing that is substantially the same in structure and use as the home that has been demolished to be built on the same site, to the previous structure’s setback requirements.
 
Please join me in giving our municipalities this optional tool to address housing needs, and fill vacant lots in their downtown areas.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1121: P.L.805, No.247