Council approves first reading to allow conversion of older commercial buildings to housing under state law

The Monroe City Council voted on May 20 to approve first reading of an ordinance implementing House Bill 1042, which removes certain local barriers to converting existing commercial or mixed-use buildings to residential uses.

Staff presented background and required code changes. William Barr told council that HB 1042 defines an "existing building" as one completed at least three years earlier and directs cities to allow a 50% greater residential density when a conversion takes place entirely within an existing commercial or mixed-use building. The law also prohibits local governments from imposing certain additional requirements on these conversions: cities may not require additional parking for the converted area, cannot impose extra exterior-design standards for the converted portion (except along a designated major pedestrian corridor), cannot require additional transportation studies or SEPA review for conversions…