PRINTER'S NO. 2242
No. 1525 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY STEIL, FREEMAN, THOMAS, BOYD, CURRY, FABRIZIO, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HENNESSEY, MARSHALL, R. MILLER, SWANGER, YOUNGBLOOD AND BRENNAN, JULY 6, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JULY 6, 2007
AN ACT 1 Amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled, 2 as amended, "An act to empower cities of the second class A, 3 and third class, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships of 4 the first and second classes including those within a county 5 of the second class and counties of the second through eighth 6 classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development 7 and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land 8 development ordinances, planned residential development and 9 other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of 10 certain land for future public purpose and by the acquisition 11 of such land; to promote the conservation of energy through 12 the use of planning practices and to promote the effective 13 utilization of renewable energy sources; providing for the 14 establishment of planning commissions, planning departments, 15 planning committees and zoning hearing boards, authorizing 16 them to charge fees, make inspections and hold public 17 hearings; providing for mediation; providing for transferable 18 development rights; providing for appropriations, appeals to 19 courts and penalties for violations; and repealing acts and 20 parts of acts," further providing for definitions, for 21 comprehensive plans and for compliance by counties; providing 22 for proposed ordinances; and further providing for impact 23 fees and for transportation capital improvement plans. 24 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 25 hereby enacts as follows: 26 Section 1. The definitions of "public infrastructure area," 27 "public infrastructure services" and "rural resource area" in 28 section 107(a) of the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247),
1 known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 2 reenacted and amended December 21, 1988 (P.L.1329, No.170) and 3 added June 22, 2000 (P.L.483, No.67), are amended and the 4 subsection is amended by adding definitions to read: 5 Section 107. Definitions.--(a) The following words and 6 phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to 7 them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates 8 otherwise: 9 * * * 10 "Capital improvements program," a proposed general schedule 11 of all future projects listed in order of acquisition, 12 construction or development priority together with cost 13 estimates and the anticipated means of financing each project. 14 Included are all major projects requiring the expenditure of 15 public funds, over and above the annual local government's 16 operating expenses for the purchase, construction or replacement 17 of the physical assets of the municipality. 18 * * * 19 "Infrastructure," essential services and related structures, 20 systems, networks, developed facilities or devices, both 21 immovable and movable, either publicly or privately owned, 22 operated and maintained, that are provided or available to or 23 for the benefit of persons within a municipality or the public 24 generally or for the benefit of the Commonwealth or one or more 25 of its political subdivisions. These include wastewater and 26 sewage collection and treatment; potable water supply, treatment 27 and distribution; transportation of people and goods via road, 28 rail, air, water, mass transit, bicycle or on foot; storm water 29 management systems and facilities; fire, police, emergency and 30 medical services; schools and educational institutions; networks 20070H1525B2242 - 2 -
1 and facilities for the delivery of energy and 2 telecommunications; parks and recreation facilities, greenways; 3 and natural and managed water resource systems, whether natural 4 or man-made. 5 * * * 6 "Public infrastructure service area," a designated growth 7 area and all or any portion of a future growth area described in 8 a county, municipal or multimunicipal comprehensive plan where 9 public infrastructure services will be provided and outside of 10 which such public infrastructure services will not be required 11 to be publicly financed. 12 ["Public infrastructure services," services that are provided 13 to areas with densities of one or more units to the acre, which 14 may include sanitary sewers and facilities for the collection 15 and treatment of sewage, water lines and facilities for the 16 pumping and treating of water, parks and open space, streets and 17 sidewalks, public transportation and other services that may be 18 appropriate within a growth area, but shall exclude fire 19 protection and emergency medical services and any other service 20 required to protect the health and safety of residents.] 21 * * * 22 "Rural resource area," an area described in a municipal or 23 multimunicipal plan within which rural resource uses including, 24 but not limited to, agriculture, timbering, mining, quarrying 25 and other extractive industries, forest and game lands and 26 recreation and tourism are encouraged and enhanced, development 27 that is compatible with or supportive of such uses is permitted 28 and public infrastructure services are not provided except in 29 villages[.] and except that public safety and emergency services 30 may be provided and certain infrastructure, such as parks, 20070H1525B2242 - 3 -
1 greenways and water resources, may be deemed consistent and 2 included. 3 * * * 4 Section 2. Sections 301, 301.4(a), 302(a) and 303(c) and (d) 5 of the act, amended June 22, 2000 (P.L.495, No.68), are amended 6 to read: 7 Section 301. Preparation of Comprehensive Plan--(a) The 8 municipal, multimunicipal or county comprehensive plan, 9 consisting of maps, charts and textual matter, shall include, 10 but need not be limited to, the following related basic 11 elements: 12 (1) A statement of objectives of the municipality 13 concerning its future development, including, but not limited 14 to, the location, character and timing of future development, 15 that may also serve as a statement of community development 16 objectives as provided in section 606. 17 (2) A plan for land use, which may include provisions 18 for the amount, intensity, character and timing of land use 19 proposed for residence, industry, business, agriculture, 20 major traffic and transit facilities, utilities, community 21 facilities, public grounds, parks and recreation, 22 preservation of prime agricultural lands, flood plains and 23 other areas of special hazards and other similar uses. 24 (2.1) A plan to meet the housing needs of present 25 residents and of those individuals and families anticipated 26 to reside in the municipality, which may include conservation 27 of presently sound housing, rehabilitation of housing in 28 declining neighborhoods and the accommodation of expected new 29 housing in different dwelling types and at appropriate 30 densities for households of all income levels. 20070H1525B2242 - 4 -
1 (3) A plan for movement of people and goods, which may 2 include expressways, highways, local street systems, parking 3 facilities, pedestrian and bikeway systems, trails, public 4 transit routes, terminals, airfields, port facilities, 5 railroad facilities and other similar facilities or uses. 6 (4) A plan for community facilities and utilities, which 7 may include schools and institutions for public and private 8 education, recreation, municipal buildings, fire and police 9 stations, libraries, hospitals, water supply and 10 distribution, sewerage and waste treatment, solid waste 11 management, [storm drainage, and flood plain management], 12 storm water and flood plain management systems and 13 facilities, utility corridors and associated facilities, 14 networks and facilities for the delivery of energy and 15 telecommunications and other similar facilities or uses. 16 [(4.1) A statement of the interrelationships among the 17 various plan components, which may include an estimate of the 18 environmental, energy conservation, fiscal, economic 19 development and social consequences on the municipality. 20 (4.2) A discussion of short- and long-range plan 21 implementation strategies, which may include implications for 22 capital improvements programming, new or updated development 23 regulations, and identification of public funds potentially 24 available. 25 (5) A statement indicating that the existing and 26 proposed development of the municipality is compatible with 27 the existing and proposed development and plans in contiguous 28 portions of neighboring municipalities, or a statement 29 indicating measures which have been taken to provide buffers 30 or other transitional devices between disparate uses, and a 20070H1525B2242 - 5 -
1 statement indicating that the existing and proposed 2 development of the municipality is generally consistent with 3 the objectives and plans of the county comprehensive plan.] 4 (6) A plan for the protection of natural and historic 5 resources to the extent not preempted by Federal or State 6 law. This clause includes, but is not limited to, wetlands 7 and aquifer recharge zones, woodlands, steep slopes, prime 8 agricultural land, agricultural security areas, flood plains, 9 unique natural areas and historic [sites.] resources. The 10 plan may include a scheme for a connected natural resource 11 system throughout the municipal, multimunicipal or county 12 planning area that encompasses water resources, woodlands, 13 parks, greenways, conservation easements and agricultural and 14 forest lands with conservation values, which, as a connected 15 system contributes to ecological and community health and 16 well-being. The plan shall be consistent with and may not 17 exceed those requirements imposed under the following: 18 (i) act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known 19 as "The Clean Streams Law"; 20 (ii) act of May 31, 1945 (P.L.1198, No.418), known 21 as the "Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act"; 22 (iii) act of April 27, 1966 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.31, 23 No.1), known as "The Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land 24 Conservation Act"; 25 (iv) act of September 24, 1968 (P.L.1040, No.318), 26 known as the "Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act"; 27 (v) act of December 19, 1984 (P.L.1140, No.223), 28 known as the "Oil and Gas Act"; 29 (vi) act of December 19, 1984 (P.L.1093, No.219), 30 known as the "Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and 20070H1525B2242 - 6 -
1 Reclamation Act"; 2 (vii) act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known 3 as the "Agricultural Area Security Law"; and 4 (viii) act of June 10, 1982 (P.L.454, No.133), 5 entitled "An act protecting agricultural operations from 6 nuisance suits and ordinances under certain 7 circumstances".[; and 8 (ix) act of May 20, 1993 (P.L.12, No.6), known as 9 the "Nutrient Management Act," regardless of whether any 10 agricultural operation within the area to be affected by 11 the plan is a concentrated animal operation as defined 12 under the act.] 13 (6.1) A statement of the interrelationships among the 14 various plan components, including the sewage facilities plan 15 adopted by the municipality under the act of January 24, 1966 16 (1965 P.L.1535, No.537), known as the "Pennsylvania Sewage 17 Facilities Act," and any applicable storm water management 18 plan adopted by the county or the municipality under the act 19 of October 4, 1978 (P.L.864, No.167), known as the "Storm 20 Water Management Act," as such plans may be amended and 21 revised from time to time, which shall be included as 22 elements of the comprehensive plan. The statement of 23 interrelationships may include an estimate of the 24 environmental, energy conservation, fiscal, economic 25 development and social consequences for the municipalities 26 affected by a municipal, multimunicipal or county 27 comprehensive plan. 28 (6.2) Short-term and long-term implementation 29 strategies, including implementing regulations and a capital 30 improvements program for the acquisition, construction or 20070H1525B2242 - 7 -
1 development of the public infrastructure, facilities, 2 structures, and major equipment identified in the 3 comprehensive plan, and a list of proposed expenditures on a 4 six-year basis and identification of public funds potentially 5 available for such purposes. The capital improvements program 6 shall be maintained or revised, as necessary, on an annual 7 basis by the governing body. 8 (6.3) A statement indicating that the existing and 9 proposed development of the municipality is compatible with 10 the existing and proposed development and plans in contiguous 11 portions of neighboring municipalities, or a statement 12 indicating measures which have been taken to provide buffers 13 or other transitional devices between disparate uses, and a 14 statement indicating that the existing and proposed 15 development of the municipality is generally consistent with 16 the objectives and plans of the county comprehensive plan. 17 (7) In addition to any other requirements of this act, a 18 county comprehensive plan shall: 19 (i) Identify land uses as they relate to important 20 natural resources and appropriate utilization of existing 21 minerals. 22 (ii) Identify current and proposed land uses which 23 have a regional impact and significance, such as large 24 shopping centers, major industrial parks, mines and 25 related activities, office parks, storage facilities, 26 large residential developments, regional entertainment 27 and recreational complexes, hospitals, airports and port 28 facilities. 29 (iii) Identify a plan for the preservation and 30 enhancement of prime agricultural land and encourage the 20070H1525B2242 - 8 -
1 compatibility of land use regulation with existing 2 agricultural operations. 3 (iv) Identify a plan for historic preservation. 4 (b) The comprehensive plan shall include a plan for the 5 reliable supply of water, considering current and future water 6 resources availability, uses and limitations, including 7 provisions adequate to protect water supply sources. Any such 8 plan shall be generally consistent with the State Water Plan and 9 any applicable water resources plan adopted by a river basin 10 commission. It shall also contain a statement recognizing that: 11 (1) Lawful activities such as extraction of minerals may 12 impact water supply sources and such activities are governed 13 by statutes regulating mineral extraction that specify 14 replacement and restoration of water supplies affected by 15 such activities. 16 (2) Commercial agriculture production may impact water 17 supply sources. 18 (c) The municipal or multimunicipal comprehensive plan shall 19 be reviewed at least every ten years. The municipal or 20 multimunicipal comprehensive plan shall be sent to the governing 21 bodies of contiguous municipalities for review and comment and 22 shall also be sent to the Center for Local Government Services 23 for informational purposes. The municipal or multimunicipal 24 comprehensive plan shall also be sent to the county planning 25 commissions or, upon request of a county planning commission, a 26 regional planning commission when the comprehensive plan is 27 updated or at ten-year intervals, whichever comes first, for 28 review and comment on whether the municipal or multimunicipal 29 comprehensive plan remains generally consistent with the county 30 comprehensive plan and to indicate where the local plan may 20070H1525B2242 - 9 -
1 deviate from the county comprehensive plan. 2 (d) The municipal, multimunicipal or county comprehensive 3 plan may identify those areas where growth and development will 4 occur so that a full range of public infrastructure services, 5 including sewer, water, highways, police and fire protection, 6 public schools, parks, open space and other services can be 7 adequately planned and provided as needed to accommodate growth. 8 (e) The municipal, multimunicipal or county comprehensive 9 plan may incorporate a plan for economic development that 10 includes prioritization of economic and community development 11 projects and the integration of such projects with 12 transportation, infrastructure, and the land use plans. 13 Section 301.4. Compliance by Counties.--(a) [If a county 14 does not have a comprehensive plan, then that county shall, 15 within three years of the effective date of this act and with 16 the opportunity for the review, comment and participation of the 17 municipalities and school districts within the respective county 18 and contiguous counties, school districts and municipalities, 19 prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan in accordance with the 20 requirements of section 301.] Municipal comprehensive plans 21 which are adopted shall be generally consistent with the adopted 22 county comprehensive plan. 23 * * * 24 Section 302. Adoption of Municipal, Multimunicipal and 25 County Comprehensive Plans and Plan Amendments.--(a) The 26 governing body [may] shall adopt and amend the comprehensive 27 plan as a whole or in part. Before adopting or amending a 28 comprehensive plan, or any part thereof, the planning agency 29 shall hold at least one public meeting before forwarding the 30 proposed comprehensive plan or amendment thereof to the 20070H1525B2242 - 10 -
1 governing body. In reviewing the proposed comprehensive plan, 2 the governing body shall consider the comments of the county, 3 contiguous municipalities and the school district, as well as 4 the public meeting comments and the recommendations of the 5 municipal planning agency. The comments of the county, 6 contiguous municipalities and the local school district shall be 7 made to the governing body within 45 days of receipt by the 8 governing body, and the proposed plan or amendment thereto shall 9 not be acted upon until such comment is received. If, however, 10 the contiguous municipalities and the local school district fail 11 to respond within 45 days, the governing body may proceed 12 without their comments. 13 * * * 14 Section 303. Legal Status of Comprehensive Plan Within the 15 Jurisdiction that Adopted the Plan.--* * * 16 (c) [Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, no 17 action by the governing body of a municipality shall be invalid 18 nor shall the same be subject to challenge or appeal on the 19 basis that such action is inconsistent with, or fails to comply 20 with, the provision of a comprehensive plan.] 21 (1) A formally adopted county, municipal or 22 multimunicipal comprehensive plan, if one exists, shall be 23 used as a guide by the governing body of a municipality, its 24 departments, agencies and appointed authorities in adopting 25 or amending any land use ordinance or taking any proposed 26 action that is to be submitted to the planning agency in 27 accordance with subsection (a). 28 [(d)] 29 (2) Municipal zoning, subdivision and land development 30 regulations and capital improvement programs shall generally 20070H1525B2242 - 11 -
1 implement the municipal and multimunicipal comprehensive plan 2 or, where none exists, the municipal statement of community 3 development objectives. 4 Section 3. The act is amended by adding a section to read: 5 Section 303.1. General Consistency.--(a) In accordance with 6 this section, a municipal governing body shall make a finding 7 that a proposed ordinance is generally consistent with the 8 comprehensive plan. A finding of general consistency shall be 9 considered and made concurrently with and as part of the 10 ordinance enactment process prescribed in this act and as 11 further prescribed in this section. 12 (b) The issue of the general consistency of a proposed 13 ordinance with the comprehensive plan shall be considered at the 14 public hearing required to be held prior to a municipal 15 governing body voting to approve the ordinance. 16 (c) The public notice of the public hearing shall include a 17 statement that any person, including a representative of the 18 municipal or county planning agency, may provide written 19 comments prior to the hearing or may request to present 20 testimony at the hearing on the question of whether a proposed 21 ordinance is generally consistent with the comprehensive plan. 22 (d) After receiving comments and testimony pursuant to 23 subsection (c), and prior to voting on the proposed ordinance, 24 the governing body shall find that general consistency exists if 25 it determines that the proposed ordinance promotes, rather than 26 conflicts with the goals, objectives, policies and strategies 27 set forth in the comprehensive plan. In order to be found 28 generally consistent with a comprehensive plan, an ordinance 29 need not accomplish all of the goals, objectives, policies and 30 strategies set forth in the comprehensive plan. 20070H1525B2242 - 12 -
1 (e) The finding made pursuant to this section shall be 2 evidenced by a resolution of the governing body, but it need not 3 contain detailed findings of fact and may be in the form of a 4 conclusion. 5 (f) An ordinance adopted after a finding of general 6 consistency as provided in this section shall not be invalid nor 7 shall the same be subject to challenge or appeal on the basis 8 that the ordinance is inconsistent with, or fails to comply 9 with, the comprehensive plan. 10 (g) Applicants for any permit, approval or variance 11 authorized by an ordinance duly enacted by the municipal 12 governing body shall be entitled to rely on the land use 13 ordinance in effect at the time of their application. 14 (h) A permit, approval or variance issued or granted 15 pursuant to a duly adopted land use ordinance, or the issuance, 16 approval or denial of any of the following may not be challenged 17 on the basis that it is inconsistent with, or fails to comply 18 with, a comprehensive plan: 19 (1) A zoning permit, variance, special exception or 20 conditional use. 21 (2) A preliminary or final subdivision or land 22 development plan, development plan or program for a planned 23 residential development. 24 (3) A demolition or building permit, certificate-of- 25 occupancy or other approval or permit required for 26 construction, land development, subdivision or occupancy. 27 (i) A finding of general consistency in accordance with this 28 section shall satisfy all requirements of this act concerning an 29 ordinance's implementation of, or general consistency with, the 30 comprehensive plan. 20070H1525B2242 - 13 -
1 (j) Nothing in this act shall prevent either of the 2 following: 3 (1) The concurrent amendment of a zoning ordinance with 4 a comprehensive plan in accordance with section 603(j) in 5 order to maintain general consistency of the ordinance with 6 the comprehensive plan. 7 (2) The implementation of a multimunicipal comprehensive 8 plan by participating municipalities through one or more 9 cooperative implementation agreements, not inconsistent with 10 this section, for the purpose of achieving general 11 consistency in accordance with section 1104. 12 (k) The following words and phrases when used in this 13 section shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection 14 unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: 15 "Comprehensive plan," a formally adopted municipal or 16 multimunicipal comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to this act. 17 "Ordinance," a land use ordinance or an amendment of a land 18 use ordinance adopted pursuant to this act. 19 Section 4. Section 503-A(d) of the act, added December 19, 20 1990 (P.L.1343, No.209), is amended to read: 21 Section 503-A. Grant of Power.--* * * 22 (d) Impact fees may be used for those costs incurred for 23 improvements designated in the transportation capital 24 improvement program which are attributable to new development, 25 including the acquisition of land and rights-of-way; 26 engineering, legal and planning costs; and all other costs which 27 are directly related to road improvements within the service 28 area or areas, including debt service. Impact fees shall not be 29 imposed or used for costs associated with any of the following: 30 (1) Construction, acquisition or expansion of municipal 20070H1525B2242 - 14 -
1 facilities other than capital improvements identified in the
2 transportation capital improvements plan required by this
3 act.
4 (2) Repair, operation or maintenance of existing or new
5 capital improvements.
6 (3) Upgrading, updating, expanding or replacing existing
7 capital improvements to serve existing developments in order
8 to meet stricter safety, efficiency, environmental or
9 regulatory standards not attributable to new development.
10 (4) Upgrading, updating, expanding or replacing existing
11 capital improvements to remedy deficiencies in service to
12 existing development or fund deficiencies in existing
13 municipal capital improvements resulting from a lack of
14 adequate municipal funding over the years for maintenance or
15 capital construction costs.
16 (5) Preparing and developing the land use assumptions,
17 roadway sufficiency analysis and transportation capital
18 improvement plan, except that impact fees may be used for no
19 more than a proportionate amount of the cost of professional
20 consultants incurred in preparing a roadway sufficiency
21 analysis [of infrastructure within] for a specified
22 transportation service area, such allowable proportion to be
23 calculated by dividing the total costs of all road
24 improvements in the adopted transportation capital
25 improvement program within the transportation service area
26 attributable to projected future development within the
27 service area, as defined in section 504-A(e)(1)(iii), by the
28 total costs of all road improvements in the adopted
29 transportation capital improvement program within the
30 specific transportation service area, as defined in section
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1 504-A. 2 * * * 3 Section 5. Sections 504-A(d)(1) and 1103(a) of the act, 4 amended June 22, 2000 (P.L.495, No.68), are amended to read: 5 Section 504-A. Transportation Capital Improvements Plans.--* 6 * * 7 (d) (1) Upon adoption of the land use assumptions by the 8 municipality, the advisory committee shall prepare, or cause 9 to be prepared, a roadway sufficiency analysis which shall 10 establish the existing level of [infrastructure] sufficiency 11 and preferred levels of service within any designated area or 12 areas of the municipality as described by the resolution 13 adopted pursuant to the creation of the advisory committee. 14 The roadway sufficiency analysis shall be prepared for any 15 highway, road or street within the designated area or areas 16 on which the need for road improvements attributable to 17 projected future new development is anticipated. The 18 municipality shall commission a traffic or transportation 19 engineer or planner to assist the advisory committee in the 20 preparation of the roadway sufficiency analysis. 21 Municipalities may jointly commission such engineer or 22 planner to assist in the preparation of multiple municipality 23 roadway sufficiency analyses. In preparing the roadway 24 sufficiency analysis report, the engineer may consider and 25 refer to previously produced professional studies and reports 26 relevant to the production of the roadway sufficiency 27 analysis as required by this section. It shall be deemed that 28 the roads, streets and highways not on the roadway 29 sufficiency analysis report are not impacted by future 30 development. The roadway sufficiency analysis shall include 20070H1525B2242 - 16 -
1 the following components: 2 (i) The establishment of existing volumes of traffic 3 and existing levels of service. 4 (ii) The identification of a preferred level of 5 service established pursuant to the following: 6 (A) The level of service shall be one of the 7 categories of road service as defined by the 8 Transportation Research Board of the National Academy 9 of Sciences or the Institute of Transportation 10 Engineers. The municipality may choose to select a 11 level of service on a transportation service area 12 basis as the preferred level of service. The 13 preferred levels of service shall be designated by 14 the governing body of the municipality following 15 determination of the existing level of service as 16 established by the roadway sufficiency analysis. If 17 the preferred level of service is designated as 18 greater than the existing level of service, the 19 municipality shall be required to identify road 20 improvements needed to correct the existing 21 deficiencies. 22 (B) Following adoption of the preferred level of 23 service, such level of service may be waived for a 24 particular road segment or intersection if the 25 municipality finds that one or more of the following 26 effectively precludes provision of road improvements 27 necessary to meet the level of service: geometric 28 design limitations, topographic limitations or the 29 unavailability of necessary right-of-way. 30 (iii) The identification of existing deficiencies 20070H1525B2242 - 17 -
1 which need to be remedied to accommodate existing traffic 2 at the preferred level of service. 3 (iv) The specification of the required road 4 improvements needed to bring the existing level of 5 service to the preferred level of service. 6 (v) A projection of anticipated traffic volumes, 7 with a separate determination of pass-through trips, for 8 a period of not less than five years from the date of the 9 preparation of the roadway sufficiency analysis based 10 upon the land use assumptions adopted under this section. 11 (vi) The identification of forecasted deficiencies 12 which will be created by "pass-through" trips. 13 * * * 14 Section 1103. County or Multimunicipal Comprehensive 15 Plans.--(a) The comprehensive plan that is the subject of an 16 agreement may be developed by the municipalities or, at the 17 request of the municipalities, by the county planning agency, or 18 agencies in the case of a plan covering municipalities in more 19 than one county, in cooperation with municipalities within the 20 area and shall include all the elements required or authorized 21 in section 301 for the region of the plan, including a plan to 22 meet the housing needs of present residents and those 23 individuals and families anticipated to reside in the area of 24 the plan, which may include conservation of presently sound 25 housing, rehabilitation of housing in declining neighborhoods 26 and the accommodations of expected new housing in different 27 dwelling types and of appropriate densities for households of 28 all income levels. The plan may: 29 (1) Designate growth areas where: 30 (i) Orderly and efficient development to accommodate 20070H1525B2242 - 18 -
1 the projected growth of the area within the next 20 years 2 is planned for residential and mixed use densities of one 3 unit or more per acre. 4 (ii) Commercial, industrial and institutional uses 5 to provide for the economic and employment needs of the 6 area and to insure that the area has an adequate tax base 7 are planned for. 8 (iii) [Services] Infrastructure to serve such 9 development [are] is provided or planned for. 10 (2) Designate potential future growth areas where future 11 development is planned for densities to accompany the orderly 12 extension and provision of [services] infrastructure. 13 (3) Designate rural resource areas, if applicable, 14 where: 15 (i) Rural resource uses are planned for. 16 (ii) Development at densities that are compatible 17 with rural resource uses are or may be permitted. 18 (iii) Infrastructure extensions or improvements are 19 not intended to be publicly financed by municipalities, 20 except in villages, unless the participating or affected 21 municipalities agree that such [service] infrastructure 22 should be provided to an area for health or safety 23 reasons to support or be consistent with rural resources 24 or to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in 25 section 1101. 26 (4) Plan for the accommodation of all categories of uses 27 within the area of the plan, provided, however, that all uses 28 need not be provided in every municipality but shall be 29 planned and provided for within a reasonable geographic area 30 of the plan. 20070H1525B2242 - 19 -
1 (5) Plan for developments of areawide significance and 2 impact, particularly those identified in section 301(3) and 3 (4). 4 (6) Plan for the conservation and enhancement of the 5 natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic resources within the 6 area of the plan. 7 * * * 8 Section 6. This act shall take effect in 60 days. F12L53JS/20070H1525B2242 - 20 -