Bensalem Township council member Michelle Benitez recently called attention to two state House bills that could impact local zoning decisions if they are passed. House Bill 1976 would revise zoning laws to allow multi-family housing and mixed-use development in urban areas zoned for office, retail and parking with existing water and sewer systems. House Bill 2045 would revise the Municipalities Planning Code to require cities, boroughs, towns and townships with more than 5,000 in population to permit the use of duplex, triplex and fourplex housing in areas currently zoned for single-family residences only. Rep. Josh Siegel of Lehigh County is a sponsor of both bills and says they are “proactive steps in addressing the current housing crisis.” Benitez, also a member of the Bucks County Association of Township Officials, is working with officials across the county in opposition to the bills, saying that state control of a municipality’s zoning wouldn’t ensure availability of affordable or attainable housing.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 7/29/2024