The bill would have eliminated some parking requirements, legalized more types of affordable housing, and promoted increased housing production.
A bill that aimed to boost housing production by loosening zoning regulations did not pass out of the Arizona Senate, reports Kevin Reagan for 12News, giving in to pressure from local leaders. “Many cities publicly opposed SB 1117 because they believed the legislation would have taken away their ability to make important zoning decisions.”
In an opinion piece in The Independent, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Steve Kaiser, explained that the bill would only apply to cities of over 25,000 and would not “eliminate single-family zoning,” a commonly cited fear during zoning reform debates. Kaiser argues that the bill “would make it possible to accomplish the necessity laid out by the Arizona Department of Housing: We must build 270,000 new homes to repair the massive shortfall currently being experienced in our housing market.” According to Kaiser, it would bring down rent costs and put homeownership within reach for more Arizonans. The bill proposed eliminating off-street parking requirements, permitting small-lot homebuilding, and streamlining development by eliminating municipal design review panels, and legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Reagan writes that “Kaiser, a Republican representing District 2, said Monday he'll continue working on finding solutions to fix the housing crisis.”
FULL STORY: Arizona Senate rejects 'affordable housing' bill
ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast
In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.
What Caused the Failure of Zoning Reform in Colorado?
Land use reform bills that gained bipartisan support in the Montana legislature were strongly opposed by Colorado Republicans.
Montana Governor Signs Zoning Reform Bills
Four bills that target housing production promise to streamline permitting processes, reform ADU regulations, and loosen zoning restrictions in commercially zoned areas.
‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland
Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.
Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny
The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says
Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.
Placer County
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
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