SR 211 — A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the effectiveness and performance of the Municipalities Planning Code and its preparation for review and enforcement under the Department of Community and Economic Development.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

1401 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RESOLUTION Session of No.

1507211 THE2026 GENERALINTRODUCED ASSEMBLYBY OFSCHWANK, PENNSYLVANIACOSTA, SENATEKIM, BAKER, SANTARSIERO, VOGEL, FONTANA, CULVER AND COMITTA, JANUARY 23, 2026 REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 23, 2026 A RESOLUTION SessionDirecting the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to performance of No.the Municipalities Planning Code and its and preparation for review and enforcement under the Department of Community and Economic Development.

211 2026 INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, COSTA, KIM, BAKER, SANTARSIERO, VOGEL, FONTANA, CULVER AND COMITTA, JANUARY 23, 2026 SENATOR KEEFER, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AS AMENDED, MARCH 17, 2026 A RESOLUTION Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the effectiveness and performance of the Municipalities Planning Code and its preparation for review and enforcement under the Department of Community and Economic Development.

and WHEREAS, The primary task of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services is to oversee the implementation and <-- enforcement of PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION ON the act of <-- July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Municipalities Planning Code);

and WHEREAS, The Department of Community and Economic Development is tasked to ensure that OVERSEES THE GOVERNOR'S CENTER FOR <-- LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND IS TASKED TO ENSURE THAT PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION ON the Municipalities Planning Code remains current and relevant to properly meet the needs of this Commonwealth;

and <-- (4) a list of topics and issues that should be 20260SR0211PN1507 - 2 - considered prior to the General Assembly proceeding with legislation that would comprehensively update the 20260SR0211PN1401 - 2 - Municipalities Planning Code;

(5) AN EXAMINATION OF THE PREVALENCE, IMPACTS, STRENGTHS <-- AND LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL ZONING PRACTICES ENABLED UNDER THE MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE, INCLUDING:

(I) USE-BASED SEGREGATION OF LAND SUCH AS SINGLE- FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS VERSUS MULTIFAMILY, COMMERCIAL OR MIXED-USE DISTRICTS;

(II) HIERARCHICAL RESTRICTIONS, MINIMUM LOT SIZES, SETBACKS, HEIGHT LIMITS AND DENSITY CONTROLS;

AND (III) EFFECTS ON HOUSING SUPPLY, AFFORDABILITY, URBAN SPRAWL, INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS, NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER, PROPERTY VALUES AND WALKABILITY/VIBRANCY;

AND (6) A REVIEW OF INCREMENTAL REFORMS TO ZONING THAT COULD IMPROVE OUTCOMES WHILE PRESERVING COMMUNITY CONTROL AND COMPATIBILITY SUCH AS:

(I) RELAXING SINGLE-FAMILY-ONLY ZONING TO PERMIT DUPLEXES, TRIPLEXES, TOWNHOMES, COTTAGE CLUSTERS OR OTHER MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING TYPES IN APPROPRIATE AREAS;

(II) REDUCING OR ELIMINATING MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENTS TO SUPPORT MORE EFFICIENT LAND USE;

(III) AUTHORIZING OR INCENTIVIZING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ON SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS WITH STREAMLINED PERMITTING;

(IV) PROMOTING MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT IN DESIGNATED CORRIDORS OR NODES TO FOSTER WALKABLE, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES WITH HOUSING NEAR JOBS AND AMENITIES;

AND (V) STREAMLINING ZONING APPROVAL PROCESSES TO MINIMIZE BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS, APPEALS AND COSTS WHILE 20260SR0211PN1507 - 3 - MAINTAINING LOCAL INPUT AND STANDARDS;

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