Adaptive reuse: streamlining: incentives.
The bill mandates that at least 50% of the space in any adaptive reuse project must be allocated for residential use and sets forth specific affordability requirements based on the intended housing type. For rental projects, developers must allocate a set percentage of units for very low, extremely low, or lower-income households. The intent is to ensure that the benefits of adaptive reuse projects extend beyond merely repurposing buildings to include the creation of affordable housing units. Additionally, certain fees related to the change of use are exempted to reduce financial barriers for developers.
Assembly Bill 3068, introduced by Assembly Member Haney, aims to facilitate the adaptive reuse of buildings for housing by streamlining the approval process for these projects across all zoning areas. The bill establishes a framework where adaptive reuse projects can be treated as a 'use by right,' enabling quicker and more efficient ministerial approvals without conditional use permits. To qualify, projects must adhere to specific standards regarding building age and compliance with historic preservation criteria. This approach is intended to increase housing availability, particularly in urbanized areas, and to repurpose existing structures rather than building new ones, aligning with sustainability and economic efficiency goals.
General sentiment towards AB 3068 appears to be supportive among various stakeholders, particularly as it responds to the ongoing housing crisis by promoting the use of existing structures. Proponents argue that the bill not only supports economic development but also addresses environmental concerns by promoting sustainability via adaptive reuse. However, some apprehension exists regarding the potential reduction in local control over zoning decisions, as the bill limits local governments' ability to impose additional development standards that could be crucial for community needs.
A notable point of contention involves the balance between state mandates and local control. While the bill aims to streamline processes and alleviate housing shortages, critics argue that such measures could lead to the loss of local regulations that are important for community cohesion and preferences. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding how effectively the affordability provisions will be enforced and whether they will truly result in equitable access to housing for lower-income populations.