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Senate committee advances transit-oriented housing bill after amendment debate
Summary
The committee recommended due pass for substitute House Bill 1491, which sets transit-oriented development requirements, creates a 20-year multifamily tax exemption tied to affordability, and tasks Commerce with technical assistance; one proposed amendment to allow local affordability adjustments failed.
Second Substitute House Bill 1491, a package aimed at promoting transit-oriented housing and a 20-year multifamily tax exemption (MFTE) in station areas, received a due-pass recommendation from the Senate Housing Committee on March 26.
Melissa Van Gorka, staff to the committee, summarized the bill and described the primary elements: local jurisdictions planning under the Growth Management Act would be required to allow residential and mixed-use development at specified densities within station areas; the bill would establish a 20-year MFTE program for qualifying multifamily housing within station areas that meet transit-oriented development (TOD) affordability rules; and the Department of Commerce would develop a model TOD ordinance and administer grant programs to help cities with infrastructure, planning, and staffing.
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