D.__A precertified affordable neighborhood development is subject to the same municipal subdivision and site plan reviews as other residential developments in the municipality, except that such reviews may not require dimensional standards for lots, buildings or roads in excess of the design guidelines established pursuant to subsection 5.__Municipal subdivision and site plan reviews of precertified developments must be completed within 180 days of the submission of a complete application for such reviews.

E.__A municipality may substitute its own definition of "accessory dwelling unit" for the definition in subsection 2, paragraph A as long as that definition does not have the effect of prohibiting such a unit in an affordable neighborhood development.

5.__Design guidelines; rules.__The board shall adopt by rule design guidelines for an affordable neighborhood development. The office, in cooperation with the board, shall prepare draft guidelines for the board's consideration.__The guidelines must include submission requirements and related fees and must generally respect the principles of walkable neighborhoods with a variety of lot sizes and types and choice of housing for households of different incomes that respect the natural environment, provide for adequate fire protection and public safety and provide for appropriate internal open space and other common open space.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 3. Submission of rules. Rules adopted by the State Affordable Neighborhood Development Review Board pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 4361, subsection 5 must be submitted to the Legislature in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A no later than December 1, 2004.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the State Affordable Neighborhood Development Review Board within the Maine State Housing Authority and establishes standards for affordable neighborhood developments.