HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation today that would extend the 7-year time limit placed on developers to complete a planned community to either 10-years, or a limitation based on the approved phasing that is submitted by the developer to the municipality.
House Bill 1122 mirrors Senate Bill 859, which Senator David G. Argall (R-29) sponsored on behalf of local developers.
“Due to the economic decline and new lending restrictions enacted by many financial institutions, the original seven-year deadline was proving to be too difficult for many developers to complete a planned community,” Argall said. “The local municipality would likely face the cost to maintain these undeveloped and underdeveloped properties since the homeowners association lacks the necessary resources.”
The Uniform Planned Communities Act currently mandates that all construction be completed within seven years.
“Homeowners want completed developments, but developers need a little more time given the current market,” Argall said.
House Bill 1122 was unanimously approved by the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee, chaired by Argall, last week.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives to concur on amendments inserted by the Senate, which address concerns groups representing the community associations had with the original proposal.