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Senate passes housing and transit reinvestment bill to encourage high-density affordable housing near commuter rail
Summary
First Substitute Senate Bill 217 passed the Senate after substitution. The measure authorizes housing and transit reinvestment zones around FrontRunner stations to encourage high-density affordable housing and amenities; sponsor said the substitute includes a cap on tax increments and has local-government support.
Sen. Harper moved and explained the first substitute to Senate Bill 217, the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Act. The substitute incorporates technical changes requested by Salt Lake County and GOED and clarifies a cap on tax-increment financing available to projects. According to the sponsor, the bill authorizes cities to create zones within a third mile of a FrontRunner station (with a narrow additional location allowed in Summit County) to enable high-density development that includes affordable housing and on-site amenities.
Sponsor listed local organizations and associations that support the measure, including Wasatch Front and other local groups; he said the bill is modeled on earlier efforts (referencing a session earlier in the term) to encourage transit-oriented development. On the floor, no substantial opposition emerged during discussion; the Senate approved the first substitute by recorded vote. The President announced the first substitute received 19 yea votes, 9 nay votes and 1 absent; the bill will be transmitted to the House for further consideration.
Supporters said the measure is intended to pair transit investments with housing growth and reduce sprawl; questions raised in committee and on the floor were described as addressed in the substitute.
