Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/10/2014

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June 10, 2014 1 Volume 8 1 issue 11 Zoning Bulletin onin - s fr MASSACHUSETTS tl n Pending legislation in the state legislature would amend the state's current Subdivision Control Law. Changes would include reform of the law's so- called Approval Not Required provision. Reportedly, proposed changes would "promote `residential districts that encourage walking and biking, preserva- tion of open space that promotes active recreation, improved access to healthy food choices and reduced exposure to pollution.' " The changes would also reportedly allow "cities and towns to require affordable housing as part of developments under some circumstances, and also to assess `impact fees' to provide for anticipated consequences of a development" It would provide for a longer life span for special permits and allow communities to lower the threshold for how many votes are needed to approve special permits, as well as allow for a "streamlining of development by allowing permits to be applied for simultaneously, and a provision for a joint public hearing." The current bill has cleared one House committee and now is before the House Ways and Means Committee. Source: The Recorder; www.recorder.com NEW YORK New York City Mayor De Blasio's affordable housing blueprint includes a provision that may legalize basement apartments and other self-contained units within homes. Opponents say that "efforts to authorize below -ground housing [are] unrealistic and would pose safety hazards and strain conununi- ties' resources." They also argue that "[t]o change the zoning code of the entire city of New York to allow basements to become legal would be a monumental task." Proponents of the provision say that "authorizing building apaitnients would ensure they meet safety standards and emergency respond- ers are aware of how buildings are being used." They also say that such a new zoning category "would improve an unaffordable housing market for those with a limited income and offer relief to homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage." Source: Times Ledger; wwvv.timesled&'er.com WASHINGTON Spokane Valley's City Council "is expected to partially ease zoning restric- tions [on marijuana growing facilities] that go beyond state requirements by imposing 1,000-foot buffer zones around recreational trails in addition to schools, parks and public libraries." Under the zoning changes, "[p]roduction and bagging operations likely will be removed from the trail restrictions while leaving the regulations on retail outlets intact." Source: The Spokesman -Review; www.svokesman.com 12 ©2014 Thomson Reuters