HB 914

Enacts GS 160D-917 (Higher education and religious institutions residential use), which allows construction of residential development by right and to the same extent as areas zoned residential on land owned by independent higher education institutions and religious institutions in cities with 50,000 or more residents. Establishes requirements, including (1) the land was owned on or before January 1, 2026; (2) the development is not in a local historic district; (3) the development does not adjoin a site that is put to more than 1/3 light industrial use; (4) the housing units are not located within 1,200 feet of a heavy industrial use; (5) at least 80% of the units are reserved for low income residents, with an exception for 5% of the units being for managers or staff of the institution; and (6) the development otherwise complies with development standards and codes.