NY S03475

Authorizes cities, towns, and villages to enact local laws allowing voluntary, nonbinding mediation for land use decisions, following guidelines established by the unified court system or procedures determined by the local legislative body

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

Allows applicants and municipal boards to mutually agree in writing to stay or extend statutory time periods for application review during mediation, with the agreement specifying when the stay or extension will end

Requires written agreements regarding stays or extensions to be made publicly available by filing a copy with the appropriate municipal clerk's office (city, town, or village clerk)

Takes effect on July 1 of the calendar year following enactment and does not affect any existing local laws or ordinances providing for mediation of zoning and planning decisions enacted prior to the effective date