NY S04338

Authorizes cities, towns, and villages to establish voluntary and nonbinding mediation procedures for land use decisions through local law, following guidelines from the Unified Court System or alternative procedures they determine.

Allows zoning boards of appeals in cities, towns, and villages to use mediation as an aid in fostering land use decisions when authorized by their respective legislative bodies.

Permits planning boards in cities, towns, and villages to use mediation for land use decisions when authorized by their respective legislative bodies.

Enables applicants and municipal legislative bodies to mutually agree in writing to stay or extend statutory review time periods during mediation, with agreements filed in the clerk's office and made available to the public.

Takes effect July 1 following the year the bill becomes law and does not affect existing local mediation ordinances enacted prior to the effective date.