Authorizes conversion of certain office parks and retail centers to mixed-use developments.
What changed between versions
New subsection e.(3) prohibits the planning board from approving a mixed-use conversion if residential units would be located on a site with unresolved or unremediated contamination (including CERCLA National Priorities List sites or DEP-designated brownfields) or where there is clear and direct incompatibility with adjacent high-impact uses, unless mitigation measures are demonstrated.
New definition of 'mixed-use zone' added: any zone, district, or overlay within the municipality that permits a mix of residential and commercial uses, including retail and offices.
The definitions of 'office park' and 'retail center' were expanded to include properties located on one or more contiguous tax lots, not just a single site, broadening which properties can qualify as eligible.
The Department of Community Affairs is now tasked with developing statewide baseline density and bulk standards that apply to municipalities with existing mixed-use zones if the department determines those local regulations unreasonably constrain feasible redevelopment of an eligible property.
The Department of Community Affairs is also tasked with developing statewide baseline density and bulk standards for municipalities without a current mixed-use zone.
New section 6 requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to effectuate subsection e. of section 2 of the companion bill.
Subsection e.(1) now clarifies that the requirement to apply the municipality's existing mixed-use zone regulations only applies to mixed-use zoning ordinances adopted prior to enactment of the companion bill, meaning newer ordinances may be subject to the statewide standards instead.
The legislative statement (summary explanation) was removed from the reprint version, which is standard when a bill advances through committee.
