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Committee hears heavy testimony for and against bill to allow housing in commercial zones
Summary
Supporters, including executive office representatives and builders, said HB 2480 would unlock underused commercial land for housing; cities and local governments warned it could hollow out ground-floor retail, erode tax bases and undermine locally planned walkable neighborhoods. Lawmakers signaled openness to amendments.
House Committee on Local Government members heard more than three hours of testimony on House Bill 2480, a proposal to allow residential development in areas now zoned for commercial or mixed use in jurisdictions that plan under the Growth Management Act and have populations of 30,000 or more. Proponents said the bill removes a regulatory barrier that blocks housing production on underperforming commercial sites; opponents said the measure is too blunt and risks losing local tools to preserve retail, services and tax bases.
Supporters including a lieutenant governor aide, the governor's housing policy advisor and representatives of developers and business groups argued HB 2480 would make it easier and faster to produce housing where infrastructure already exists. A Commerce official…
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