Committee hears Bill to upzone around major transit stops with affordability requirements

The Capital Budget Committee on Feb. 25 heard substitute House Bill 14 91, a proposal to require cities that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to allow higher densities in designated station areas around commuter rail, light rail and bus rapid transit stops and to attach affordability requirements and incentives to that upzoning.

Committee staff summarized key elements: a rail station area is defined as within a half mile of a commuter-rail, light-rail or rail-trolley stop; a bus station area is defined as within a quarter mile of a bus-rapid‑transit stop. Cities would be required to allow minimum transit‑oriented development densities in those station areas and could grant additional density where all units in a building are permanently affordable or workforce housing. The bill would require at least 10% of units to be affordable at 60% of area median…