NY A01694

Authorizes cities, towns, and villages to adopt local laws permitting voluntary, nonbinding mediation in land use decisions following guidelines established by the unified court system or procedures determined by their legislative bodies.

Allows applicants and municipal legislative bodies to mutually agree in writing to stay or extend statutory review time periods for applications when using mediation, with the agreement specifying the end date.

Requires municipal bodies to file copies of mediation stay or extension agreements in their respective clerk's offices for public access.

Applies mediation authorization to city/town planning boards, city/town/village zoning boards of appeals, and village boards of trustees.

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