The Washington State Legislature is once again trying to strongarm most all Washington cities into giving up local control over land use, density and zoning decisions.
Two bills have just been introduced that would do just that: Senate Bill 5190 and companion bill House Bill 1110. These bills which are stunning in their overreach would allow for:
•At least four units per lot in all residential areas;
• Six units per lot in all residential, if two of the six are “affordable”;
• At least six units per lot in all residential if within a half mile of a major transit stop.
The bills would lock cities into straitjacket compliance. If cities do not comply within a certain timeframe, “model ordinances” based on the language mandating the mass increase in density would “supersede, preempt, and invalidate local development regulations” until they acquiesce.
If the state wants cities to focus on housing supply, a better approach than these heavy-handed bills which preempt local control, especially for cities that are complying with the Growth Management Act (GMA), is to update the GMA housing targets and then let local jurisdictions do what is best for their own communities.
Cities have elected officials, planning departments and citizens who know best how to thoughtfully and appropriately increase housing supply to fit within their communities.
What can mere citizens do? Let lawmakers know that we want to maintain local control. You can find your own (and all) legislators online a https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder.
Lynne Chelius
Edmonds
