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Montana hearing spotlights split over bill limiting local parking minimums to lower housing costs
Summary
Supporters told the Senate Local Government Committee HB 492 would reduce housing costs by removing local parking minimums for many residential projects; opponents, including city officials and disability advocates, warned removing minimums could eliminate ADA-accessible parking and worsen downtown congestion.
Representative Katie Zolnicoff, the sponsor of House Bill 492, told the Senate Local Government Committee that the bill narrows local authority to impose residential parking minimums and is intended to make housing less expensive by removing a costly regulatory requirement.
"Parking spaces are incredibly expensive and they can cost anywhere from $9,000 per space to, in some places with higher land costs, $50,000 per spot," Representative Katie Zolnicoff said in her opening remarks. She told the committee the bill leaves ADA-required accessible parking intact but removes many local minimums for residential units, with carve-outs for licensed childcare facilities, certain small units (under 1,200 square feet), deed-restricted affordable housing and assisted-living facilities.
Proponents told the committee the change would free land for housing and reduce rents. Jake…
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