Bill to require owner consent for historic landmark designations draws split testimony over housing impact

Senate Bill 5554 would prohibit cities and code cities from designating a property as a historic landmark if the property is less than 40 years old or if the designation would restrict its use, alteration, or demolition without the written consent of the property owner; designations made without written consent would be void unless consent is obtained.

Committee staff Karen Epps briefed the Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee that under the Growth Management Act jurisdictions must consider historic preservation goals, but GMA does not mandate historic preservation. The bill would also require cities to implement the owner-consent requirements no later than one year after the bill’s effective date and would preempt conflicting local regulations after that date;…