A law requiring New Jersey towns to ensure 10 percent of new units are affordable now awaits a vote by the State Assembly.
Towns would also have the option of dedicating 20 percent of new development to residents earning up to 150 percent of the regional median income. Residential developers looking to avoid the quota could pay a penalty equal to 3.5 percent of development costs, which the town must then use towards future affordable housing projects. The law would also abolish the state Council on Affordable Housing.
Governor Chris Christie has vowed to veto the legislation if it passes, taking issue with another fee targeting commercial developers, writes Matt Friedman:
"While Christie supports abolishing the council, he opposes the bill's 2.5 percent fee on commercial development to help pay for affordable housing. The bill temporarily does away with the fee - which is currently in effect because a moratorium on it expired in July - but phases it back over the course of five years."
FULL STORY: N.J. Assembly committee advances bill abolishing Council on Affordable Housing
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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