Bill > S02084

This bill requires municipalities (including counties, cities, towns, and villages) to proactively determine whether creating or updating a comprehensive plan is in the public interest, with a specific focus on addressing housing needs. The legislation changes existing municipal laws to replace permissive language (municipalities "may" prepare plans) with a requirement to evaluate the public interest of comprehensive planning. Critically, the bill mandates that municipalities review and potentially update their comprehensive plans at least once every ten years, ensuring that these plans adequately address local housing requirements. By January 1, 2030, municipalities without an existing comprehensive plan must develop one, and those with plans older than ten years must revise and update their plans to specifically address housing needs. The bill aims to encourage more strategic and responsive municipal planning by requiring periodic reassessment of community development strategies, with a particular emphasis on understanding and meeting local housing demands. These comprehensive plans will need to be filed with various local government offices, including county clerks, planning boards, and municipal clerks, to ensure transparency and accessibility.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2084