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Senate committee advances revisions to Live Local affordable-housing law after amendment
Summary
The Senate Committee on Committee Affairs voted to report favorably on CS/SB 17-30, which makes targeted adjustments to the Live Local Act’s land-use, parking and procedural rules; an amendment adding height limits and other clarifications was adopted on the floor before the bill was reported favorably.
The Senate Committee on Committee Affairs on May 20 reported CS/SB 17-30 favorably after adopting an amendment that narrows and clarifies how the Live Local Act will be implemented. Senator Kalati, sponsor of the bill, said the changes are intended to “strengthen the implementation” of the Live Local Act without changing its vision.
Kalati, sponsor: “The bill allows portions of flexibly zoned areas such as planned unit developments to accommodate live local developments, provides that local governments cannot require more than 10% of the square footage ... for nonresidential purposes, allows live local applicants to use local government's allowed height on 07/01/2023 if more favorable ... and makes an adjustment to parking reduction requirements, require local government to provide a 20% reduction instead of merely confirming a reduction.”
Why it matters: The Live Local Act, adopted in 2023, is a statewide approach intended to increase attainable housing near jobs and services. This committee-stage bill clarifies implementation details that affect how local governments will process and permit Live Local projects.
Key changes and debate: An amendment explained by Senator Glaude removed language that could have let Live Local projects override development agreements, clarified that planned unit developments and other flexibly zoned areas may be used, and added a 10-story height limit for Live Local projects adjacent to single-family neighborhoods. The amendment also revised parking-reduction language and adjusted attorney-fee recovery rules in litigation under the act.
Senator Glaude, amendment sponsor: the amendment “removes bill provisions allowing live local projects to interfere with development agreements ... imposes a 10 story height limitation for live local projects near and adjacent to single family neighborhoods and clarifies the parking reduction requirements for live local projects ... increases attorney fee provisions to $200,000 from $100,000.”
Committee action and public input: The amendment was adopted by voice vote. Appearance forms indicated support from Rebecca O’Hara and Courtney Mooney; a public commenter asked that a provision clarifying that recreational uses (golf courses, tennis courts, pools and clubhouses) not be treated as commercial uses be retained so homeowners in planned developments are not unexpectedly reclassified.
What remains unclear: Committee discussion flagged a few technical questions for follow up, including how the bill applies to designated areas such as DRIs (Developments of Regional Impact) and community redevelopment areas. Senators asked for staff follow-up on application of Live Local to outstanding development agreements and to planned-unit developments.
Next steps: With the amendment adopted, the committee reported the bill favorably to the next Senate stage. Additional technical follow-up was requested by members prior to final passage.
