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Senate committee debates package of bills to ease zoning, expand starter homes and convert commercial space to housing
Summary
The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government spent a major portion of its hearing on several bills intended to increase housing supply by allowing accessory dwelling units, permitting residential uses in commercial zones, letting churches develop underused land for housing, and lowering minimum lot standards.
The Senate Committee on Local Government spent the longest portion of its hearing on a package of housing bills that would loosen local restrictions to add smaller, infill housing across Texas.
Senator Robert Hughes said the centerpiece, Senate Bill 6 73, "would prevent political subdivisions from keeping you from building accessory dwelling units, casitas, cottages, granny flats, mother-in-law suites as they're sometimes called." He told the panel the bill keeps local building standards such as setbacks and does not override deed restrictions or homeowners associations.
Supporters — developers, housing advocates and several university students — said ADUs and allowing residential uses in commercial zones can add supply…
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