Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the adoption of rules requiring expedited approval of residential developments in Pennsylvania.

Highlights:

• Requires the state planning board to adopt rules requiring the governing body of a municipality to issue a land use decision approving the development of certain residential units within a year of the effective date of this Act (Sec. 1).

• Limits the types of residential development that may be approved under this section to (Sec. 1):

• Attached or detached housing, including accessory dwelling units, prefabricated or modular housing or mixed use with residential;

• A size of not more than 2,200 square feet for a single-unit dwelling, accessory dwelling unit, duplex, triplex, quadplex or townhouse;

• An average per-unit size of not more than 1,400 square feet for cottage clusters or a multiunit dwelling;

• A multiunit dwelling with fewer than 50 units; and

• Housing that complies with the maximum density requirements of the applicable comprehensive plan or land use regulations for the lot or parcel.

• Authorizes the state planning board to specify (Sec. 1):

• Processes that the municipalities may apply to the development, except for public facilities or traffic impact analysis processes;

• Applicable design standards and the scope of the design review; and

• Allowable variations or adjustments.

• Requires the Department of Labor and Industry to designate a process by which an applicant for a building permit for a residential structure of a type described in this Act may receive construction approval from the municipality (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the Act shall take effect immediately (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text