Land Use – Expedited Development Review Processes for Affordable Housing – Requirements
Impact
If passed, SB356 would significantly affect local land use laws by requiring counties to prioritize affordable housing applications and streamline the approval process. This includes potential measures such as shortening application processing times, prioritizing certain applications, or adopting self-certification processes from qualified professionals. The bill suggests that by expediting these processes, local governments can increase the supply of affordable housing more effectively, which is crucial given the growing demand in many areas.
Summary
Senate Bill 356 mandates local jurisdictions to establish and implement expedited development review processes for affordable housing projects. The bill aims to facilitate quicker approvals for residential developments that allocate at least 50% of their units to individuals with household incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. It emphasizes the importance of addressing the affordable housing crisis by reducing delays that may currently hinder such developments from progressing in a timely manner.
Contention
Some concerns may arise regarding the balance of local control and the expedited nature of the review process. While proponents argue that it will lead to more affordable housing, critics may worry that this could diminish the ability of local jurisdictions to adequately review projects or address specific community needs. Additionally, there may be debates over the criteria for waivers, which allow jurisdictions unable to comply with the new requirements to seek exceptions, potentially leading to disparities in how different communities handle affordable housing development.