Exempts contaminated and industrially-zoned sites from affordable housing rules.
If passed, S1844 would significantly alter the landscape of municipal regulations pertaining to affordable housing. By prohibiting local governments from counting development on contaminated and industrial sites against their housing obligations, it encourages more developers to invest in these often overlooked and polluted sites. Additionally, this legislative move recognizes the economic necessity of attracting industry to New Jersey, amid concerns about the diminishing availability of developable land in the state. This could lead to increased economic development efforts in municipalities that may have previously been hesitant to pursue development on contaminated lands.
Senate Bill S1844 aims to amend the regulations surrounding affordable housing development in New Jersey by specifically exempting contaminated and industrially-zoned sites from being considered when calculating a municipality's fair share housing obligation. This bill intends to encourage the remediation of contaminated lands by alleviating the financial burden that municipalities might impose on developers, such as fees associated with the Fair Housing Act. By preventing municipalities from charging these fees, the bill seeks to foster development in areas that are otherwise deemed less attractive due to their prior contamination status.
Despite its intentions, S1844 may face opposition on several fronts. Critics might argue that exempting these sites from affordable housing calculations could lead to insufficient affordable housing development in areas that need it most. There is a concern that while the bill may encourage remediation, it could simultaneously undermine the supply of affordable housing, as developers may prioritize profit over community needs. Moreover, local governments might lose flexibility in managing their housing obligations, raising questions about the balance between economic development and social responsibility regarding housing availability.