HB 1282-FN-LOCAL – AS INTRODUCED

2012 SESSION

12-2398

06/10

HOUSE BILL 1282-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT relative to workforce housing and the definition of community.

SPONSORS: Rep. Flanagan, Hills 5; Rep. Mauro, Rock 4; Rep. Baldasaro, Rock 3; Rep. Kurk, Hills 7; Rep. Jasper, Hills 27; Rep. Burt, Hills 7; Sen. Forsythe, Dist 4; Sen. Carson, Dist 14

COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government

ANALYSIS

This bill permits municipalities to decide whether to approve workforce housing and defines “community” for purposes of planning and zoning laws.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12-2398

06/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

AN ACT relative to workforce housing and the definition of community.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Workforce Housing; Approval of Municipality Required. Amend RSA 674 by inserting after section 58 the following new section:

674:58-a Municipal Approval Required. The provisions of this subdivision shall take effect in any municipality only upon the approval of the legislative body of such municipality as follows:

I. The chair of the local planning board, or designee, shall, prior to a vote at a regular or special meeting of the legislative body, explain to such body all aspects of workforce housing under this chapter, including provisions, requirements, and limitations. The question of whether allowing workforce housing shall be approved for the municipality shall be decided by a majority vote of those present and voting at such meeting.

II. In towns that have adopted the official ballot form of government under RSA 40:13, the chair of the local planning board shall, at the deliberative session, explain all aspects of workforce housing under this chapter, including provisions, requirements, and limitations. At the second session of the annual meeting, the question of whether workforce housing shall be approved for the municipality shall be decided by a majority vote of those present and voting at such meeting.

2 Workforce Housing Opportunities. Amend RSA 674:59, I to read as follows:

I. [In] Every municipality that [exercises the power to adopt land use ordinances and regulations, such ordinances and regulations] approves workforce housing under RSA 674:58-a shall provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for the development of workforce housing, including rental multi-family housing. In order to provide such opportunities, lot size and overall density requirements for workforce housing shall be reasonable. [A municipality that adopts land use ordinances and regulations] Such a municipality shall allow workforce housing to be located in a majority, but not necessarily all, of the land area that is zoned to permit residential uses within the municipality. Such a municipality shall have the discretion to determine what land areas are appropriate to meet this obligation. This obligation may be satisfied by the adoption of inclusionary zoning as defined in RSA 674:21, IV(a). This paragraph shall not be construed to require a municipality to allow for the development of multifamily housing in a majority of its land zoned to permit residential uses.

3 New Section; Planning and Zoning; Words and Phrases Defined; Community. Amend RSA 672 by inserting after section 3 the following new section:

672:3-a Community. “Community” means the area within the boundaries of any municipality.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

12-2398

10/13/11

HB 1282-FN-LOCAL - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to workforce housing and the definition of community.

FISCAL IMPACT:

METHODOLOGY: