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Bill > A250


NJ A250

NJ A250
Prohibits imposition of builder's remedy in exclusionary zoning litigation.


summary

Introduced
01/11/2022
In Committee
01/11/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024

Introduced Session

2022-2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits the imposition of a builder's remedy in exclusionary zoning litigation. The builder's remedy, as a method of achieving fair share housing, has been contrary to the public interest and public policy goals in that it resulted in the development of extraordinary amounts of market rate housing in densely populated regions while producing comparatively little affordable housing, to the overall detriment of specific communities and the State as a whole. Municipalities have attempted to navigate the rulings of the court for nearly four decades, but have been unable to adequately address the affordable housing needs of the State despite the threat of builder's remedy lawsuits. Under the bill, if a court determines that a municipality has failed to meet its obligation to provide a reasonable opportunity for the development of affordable housing, a court may impose a remedy other than a builder's remedy. For the purposes of the bill, "builder's remedy" means a court imposed remedy for a litigant who is an individual or a profit-making entity in which the court requires a municipality to utilize zoning techniques such as mandatory set-asides or density bonuses which provide for the economic viability of a residential development by including housing which is not for low and moderate income households.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits the imposition of a "builder's remedy" in exclusionary zoning litigation. The builder's remedy is a court-imposed solution that requires a municipality to use zoning techniques, such as mandatory set-asides or density bonuses, to make a residential development economically viable, even if the housing is not for low- and moderate-income households. The bill declares that the use of the builder's remedy has been contrary to the public interest and policy goals, as it has resulted in the development of large amounts of market-rate housing with comparatively little affordable housing, to the detriment of communities and the state as a whole. Instead, the bill states that the state's preference is for a mediation and review process, rather than litigation, to resolve disputes involving exclusionary zoning.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (13)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee (on 01/11/2022)

Taxonomy

Community Development and Housing Issues
  • ‐ Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination
  • ‐ Housing and Community Development for Low and Middle Income Persons

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