The two big housing density bills—one focused on middle housing on all residential lots and the other around upzoning near transit corridors—passed each chamber with a clear margin and will be heard the first week after cutoff. Although both bills continue to evolve as the session wears on, neither aligns in lock step with the AWC Housing Solutions proposal. But, as anyone involved in contentious policy debates with tell you is necessary, compromises are being made on both sides.

SB 5466 is the transit-oriented density bill and is exceptionally convoluted, as drafted. While we work on that, check out last week’s article and see how the bill’s provisions compare to the AWC Housing Solutions Proposal – Maximize density and affordability around regional transit assets:

All cities with rapid transit:

• No maximum density allowed within ½ mile walking distance of rapid transit (rail-based and bus rapid transit), if 20% of units are affordable at 80% of AMI or below for fifty years.
• Cities may set minimum density and higher affordability standards.
• Cities may otherwise regulate through local development standards including height and envelope limitations.

HB 1110, the middle housing bill, has undergone significant changes as it works its way through the gauntlet (aka the legislative process). Check out this table to see how the original version and the House-passed version compare to each other and to the AWC Housing solutions proposal.

The summary of HB 1110 runs five pages, indicating the level of statutory changes this bill would make. One new concerning change is a new lot-splitting provision referencing HB 1245. The provision was posed to address the implications of the lot splitting bill doubling the impact of the middle housing bill, as each lot would be required to allow the middle housing forms. Unfortunately, the provision that was added only allows cities to limit to two units on lots less than 2,000 square feet, which HB 1245 already allows cities to preclude. The provision needs to allow cities to restrict to two units on lots larger than 2,000 square feet when the result of a lot split. Speaking of the lot-splitting bill, HB 1245 is on the fast track and is scheduled to be heard and voted on this week.

Dates to remember

HB 1245 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs on Tuesday, March 14 at 8 am and scheduled for a vote in the same committee on Thursday, March 16 at 10:30 am.

SB 5466 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Housing Committee on Thursday, March 16 at 8 am.

HB 1110 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Housing Committee on Friday, March 17 at 10:30 am.