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Committee hears HB 1175 to allow neighborhood stores and cafes in residential zones
Summary
The Local Government Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1175, which would require cities and towns to permit neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes in zones that allow residential uses, subject to limited local controls.
The Local Government Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1175, which would require cities and towns to allow neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes in zones that permit residential uses, while permitting local regulations on hours of operation, parking and maximum square footage. The bill defines neighborhood stores and cafes as establishments with at least 500 square feet of gross floor area and requires permitted operating windows of at least 12 consecutive hours; a neighborhood cafe that serves alcohol must also offer food.
Representative Mark Klicker, sponsor of the bill, said the measure grew from examples of European neighborhood commerce and from experiences in small Washington cities; he framed the bill as supporting walkable communities, local entrepreneurship and economic opportunity in smaller cities and suburbs. The staff briefing summarized statutory definitions and the local‑control elements: cities may regulate parking and hours, and may set additional local conditions (including square‑footage limits).
Supporters that testified included trade associations and local governments. Katie Beason of the Washington Food Industry Association said independent grocers and convenience stores would benefit and welcomed the bill. Sean DeWitts of the Washington Hospitality Association said the bill opens opportunities for restaurants and small hospitality businesses constrained by zoning. Bryce Yaden of FutureWise said neighborhood stores and cafes are important community amenities as suburbs and lower‑density areas add housing.
Local governments offered conditional support while requesting clarifications. Mark Schuler, city administrator for Cheney, supported the bill and said his city appreciated language that preserves local authority to limit hours, set square‑footage limits and regulate parking given narrow streets and a university commuter population. Carl Schroeder of the Association of Washington Cities said cities are wary of broad preemption but generally supportive; Schroeder noted a drafting omission in an earlier section (a missing definition of neighborhood store that the sponsor planned to correct) and urged work on parking impacts. Schroeder and other municipal speakers suggested a cul‑de‑sac amendment and asked for realistic implementation timing to allow ordinance adjustments.
Other supporters gave community‑oriented testimony: Paul Woods described the neighborhood cafe model he observed in Europe and Northern Ireland, saying cafes strengthen social bonds, encourage foot traffic and increase neighborhood safety. Rachel Mazur testified in support as a land‑use attorney, noting existing corner stores often only survive as nonconforming uses and that HB 1175 would validate and expand those neighborhood assets.
The committee concluded the hearing after discussing implementation timing and potential model ordinances to help local jurisdictions adopt changes more quickly. Testifiers and committee members agreed to continue technical conversations on parking limits, definitions of a limited menu and suitable locations (for example, avoiding cul‑de‑sacs), and on a realistic effective date for local ordinance updates.
