Senate Committee Hears Zoning Reform Package to Increase Housing Supply and Improve Affordability
TRENTON – Continuing its focus on addressing New Jersey’s housing affordability crisis, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Senator Troy Singleton (D-Burlington), heard testimony on a package of zoning reform and housing legislation aimed at increasing housing inventory, removing barriers to development, and creating more affordable housing opportunities across the state.
The Committee’s action reflects a broader strategy centered on increasing the overall supply of housing to reduce costs, while advancing measures related to economic development.
“Our housing affordability challenges will not be solved unless we significantly increase the supply of homes available in New Jersey,” said Senator Singleton. “For too long, restrictive zoning policies have limited our ability to build the housing we need. This package is about eliminating those barriers, encouraging smart development, and creating more opportunities for families to find affordable places to live.”
The agenda included the following proposals:
EXPANDING HOUSING SUPPLY AND MODERNIZING ZONING:
- S-1766, sponsored by Senators Singleton and Benjie Wimberly, authorizes the conversion of certain vacant or underutilized office parks and retail centers into mixed-use developments, including residential housing.
- S-1786, sponsored by Senators Singleton and Britnee Timberlake, concerns development of accessory dwelling units (Discussion only)
- S-1836, sponsored by Senators Singleton and Wimberly, enhances ability of religious and nonprofit organizations to convert certain property to inclusionary developments with affordable housing, aka “Yes in God’s Back Yard” (Discussion only)
SUPPORTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT:
- S-1834, sponsored by Senator Singleton, authorizes the creation of an additional Urban Enterprise Zone to support economic growth and investment in targeted communities.
Singleton emphasized that the zoning reform measures are a critical component of a broader, long-term strategy to address affordability by increasing housing supply across all income levels.
“This conversation cannot just be about affordable housing alone,” Singleton added. “If we want to bring down housing costs in a meaningful way, we must address supply across the board. That means modernizing zoning laws, unlocking underutilized properties, and making it easier to build housing in communities throughout New Jersey.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES ADVANCED AND HEARD:
- S-693, sponsored by Senator Patrick Diegnan, prohibits municipalities from requiring certain plan approvals related to the addition of van-accessible parking spaces.
- S-1659, sponsored by Senators Andrew Zwicker and Wimberly, requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing.
- S2970, sponsored by Senator Raj Mukherji, requires residential landlord to accept rent payment by certain means (Discussion only)
- S-3622, sponsored by Senators Carmen Amato and Robert Singer, authorizes a county commissioner director to appoint a designee to serve on a county planning board.
- S-3174, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, concerns the use of private on-site inspection agencies for construction code inspections.
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S-3679, sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner, establishes the “Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act.”