(a) After enacting a resolution establishing a neighborhood revitalization zone, a municipality may establish a process to request that a state or local official waive the application of any provision of state and local environmental, health and safety codes and regulations that unreasonably jeopardize implementation of a strategic plan adopted under section 7-602, except a provision necessary to comply with federal law. Any waiver shall not create a substantial threat to the environment, public health, safety or welfare of the residents and occupants of the neighborhood. Any request for a waiver shall identify the state or local code or regulation for which the waiver is sought and shall include recommendations for alternate requirements to replace the standard being waived in the existing code or regulation.

(b) A neighborhood revitalization zone committee may determine, by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting scheduled for such purpose and conducted within the boundaries of the zone, if practical, that a provision of a state or local environmental, health or safety code or regulation jeopardizes implementation of the strategic plan and may request a waiver of such provision, provided such request complies with subsection (a) of this section. The committee shall forward such waiver request to the chief executive official of the municipality. Within five business days of receipt of the request, the chief executive official shall forward a copy thereof to the local official responsible for code enforcement, if any, and to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. If the request is for waiver of a state code or regulation, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall, within five business days of receipt, notify the state official responsible for enforcement of the code or regulation that a provision of such code or regulation is requested to be waived. The state official or local official shall conduct a public hearing on the waiver within thirty calendar days of receipt of the request at a place determined by the chief executive official. Within fifteen business days of the conclusion of the hearing, the state official or local official shall notify, in writing, the chief executive official of his decision. The decision of the state official or local official shall be final.

(c) Any abandoned or vacant property located in a neighborhood revitalization zone established pursuant to sections 7-600 to 7-602, inclusive, shall be deemed to be in continuous use for purposes of enforcement of state or local environmental, health and safety codes or regulations.

(P.A. 95-340, S. 7; P.A. 99-35, S. 2, 3.)

History: P.A. 99-35 amended Subsec. (a) to require identification of the state or local code or regulation for which a waiver is sought, and made technical changes to the waiver process, and amended Subsec. (b) re waiver requests by neighborhood revitalization zone committees, changed hearing requirement from 10 to 30 calendar days and notification requirement from 5 to 15 business days, effective July 1, 1999.