36-160 - Housing revitalization zone designation.

§ 36-160. Housing revitalization zone designation.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may make writtenapplication to the Department to have an area or areas declared to be ahousing revitalization zone. Such application shall include a description ofthe location of the area or areas in question, and a general statementidentifying proposed local incentives to complement the state incentives. Twoor more adjacent jurisdictions may file a joint application for a housingrevitalization zone lying in the jurisdictions submitting the application.

B. The Governor may approve, upon the recommendation of the Director of theDepartment, the designation of up to twenty areas as housing revitalizationzones for a period of fifteen years. Any county, city, or town shall beeligible to apply for more than one housing revitalization zone designation;however, each county, city, and town shall be limited to a total of twohousing revitalization zones. Any such area shall consist of contiguousUnited States census tracts or any portion thereof in accordance with themost current United States Census or with the most current data from thelocal planning district commission. Any such area seeking designation as ahousing revitalization zone shall also meet at least one of the followingcriteria: (i) have per capita income below eighty percent of the median percapita income for the planning district or (ii) have a residential vacancyrate that is at least 120 percent of the average vacancy rate for theplanning district. No more than ten percent of a locality's land area may bein a single housing revitalization zone.

(2000, cc. 789, 795.)