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Council signals support for local control as staff readies testimony on housing bills
Summary
City staff briefed council on Senate Bill 49 and House Bill 2138 affecting statewide zoning and development processes; council indicated it supports housing goals but emphasized retaining local decision-making authority and asked staff to prepare testimony reflecting that nuance.
The city manager briefed the council on two pending state housing measures discussed during the meeting as Senate Bill 49 and House Bill 2138. The city manager said the bills are comprehensive and could require jurisdictions to adopt a statewide model for zoning and shorten processes in ways that may supersede local requirements. "The legislature continues to work on housing as a top priority," the city manager said, and staff warned that some provisions could reduce notice and alter local land-use authorities.
Council members broadly said they support increasing housing but emphasized that implementation choices should remain local. Council president Baumgartner said he supports retaining local control while also pursuing housing goals, and other councilors urged nuanced testimony rather than blanket opposition. Staff said it would prepare testimony and share information with the community and legislators; the council did not take a formal vote but gave direction to staff to draft testimony that balances housing goals and local control.
