Governor Jared Polish signed HB26-1001 into law Wednesday, which is a controversial law intended to provide more affordable housing across the state but allows certain institutions to bypass local planning and zoning regulations. The bill passed the Senate and the House, mostly across party lines, with Democrats in support of the bill and Republicans in opposition.
“Today we took another historic step towards a more affordable and liveable Colorado,” Governor Polish said. “By allowing non-profits, transportation districts, schools, housing authorities and others to build housing on underutilized and unused land, we are breaking down barriers that block partners who want to be part of the housing solution. This bill allows underutilized land to be turned into homes people can afford, in communities we want to live in. I thank the sponsors for their dedication to tackling our housing challenges and for getting this bill to my desk.”
The new law provides exemptions to schools, colleges and universities, housing authorities, and housing-related non-profits to bypass typical zoning and planning regulations for properties they own that are five acres or less. Municipalities are not able to impose height restrictions smaller than three stories, or 45 feet, or impose restrictions on the number of units in the development, with limited exceptions. Municipalities cannot impose height restrictions which differ from the local zoning ordinances or implement setback, open space, parking, landscaping, or buffering requirements that are more restrictive than other housing developments in the neighborhood.
Colorado Union of Taxpayers President Kim Monson opposed the bill when it was introduced. She said it would create an administrative state and take away the ability of local communities to make their own land use determinations. Colorado Municipal League Executive Director Kevin Bommer said in a January statement that local communities are actively working to provide affordable housing solutions and a “one-size-fits-all” approach from the state government strips away local autonomy. CML Legislative Advocacy Manager Beverly Stables said there could be unintended consequences that make the goal of affordable housing more difficult.
Governor Polis shared several statements of support from across the state after he signed the bill into law. “Projects like those enabled by the HOME Act need to be legal everywhere in the state,” said LAUNCH Longmont Housing President Shakeel Dalal. “We have some great examples in Longmont, but the housing market doesn’t stop at city limits and neither can the work to expand the options for adding to Colorado’s housing supply.”
“Budgets are tight, but Colorado’s local governments have a powerful, untapped resource: Land,” said Peter Erikson from YIMBY Fort Collins. “This bill empowers our school districts, transit agencies, and universities to turn that land into the housing our communities desperately need.”
Eilemthxx on
>with Democrats in support of the bill and Republicans in opposition.
But Republicans are the pro-housing party, right?
meese699 on
I still hate you though u/jaredpolis and this isn’t enough to win me back. do better >:|
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Governor Jared Polish signed HB26-1001 into law Wednesday, which is a controversial law intended to provide more affordable housing across the state but allows certain institutions to bypass local planning and zoning regulations. The bill passed the Senate and the House, mostly across party lines, with Democrats in support of the bill and Republicans in opposition.
“Today we took another historic step towards a more affordable and liveable Colorado,” Governor Polish said. “By allowing non-profits, transportation districts, schools, housing authorities and others to build housing on underutilized and unused land, we are breaking down barriers that block partners who want to be part of the housing solution. This bill allows underutilized land to be turned into homes people can afford, in communities we want to live in. I thank the sponsors for their dedication to tackling our housing challenges and for getting this bill to my desk.”
The new law provides exemptions to schools, colleges and universities, housing authorities, and housing-related non-profits to bypass typical zoning and planning regulations for properties they own that are five acres or less. Municipalities are not able to impose height restrictions smaller than three stories, or 45 feet, or impose restrictions on the number of units in the development, with limited exceptions. Municipalities cannot impose height restrictions which differ from the local zoning ordinances or implement setback, open space, parking, landscaping, or buffering requirements that are more restrictive than other housing developments in the neighborhood.
Colorado Union of Taxpayers President Kim Monson opposed the bill when it was introduced. She said it would create an administrative state and take away the ability of local communities to make their own land use determinations. Colorado Municipal League Executive Director Kevin Bommer said in a January statement that local communities are actively working to provide affordable housing solutions and a “one-size-fits-all” approach from the state government strips away local autonomy. CML Legislative Advocacy Manager Beverly Stables said there could be unintended consequences that make the goal of affordable housing more difficult.
Governor Polis shared several statements of support from across the state after he signed the bill into law. “Projects like those enabled by the HOME Act need to be legal everywhere in the state,” said LAUNCH Longmont Housing President Shakeel Dalal. “We have some great examples in Longmont, but the housing market doesn’t stop at city limits and neither can the work to expand the options for adding to Colorado’s housing supply.”
“Budgets are tight, but Colorado’s local governments have a powerful, untapped resource: Land,” said Peter Erikson from YIMBY Fort Collins. “This bill empowers our school districts, transit agencies, and universities to turn that land into the housing our communities desperately need.”
>with Democrats in support of the bill and Republicans in opposition.
But Republicans are the pro-housing party, right?
I still hate you though u/jaredpolis and this isn’t enough to win me back. do better >:|