Bills will destroy single-family neighborhoods

Washington State House Bill 1110 and Senate Bill 5190 are identical and are on track for approval. They will destroy city residential zoning codes statewide. This appears to cancel out planning authority and resident input at the city and county level.

It’s not necessary to read all 15 pages of the bills. Begin with New Section 3 — Pages 9 and 10 will explain proposed statewide zoning regulations. On Page 14, New Section 7 makes it clear these changes are not subject to administrative or judicial appeals. Both bills essentially supersede local planning efforts by dictating increased densities.

These bills will preempt our zoning codes and will:

Destroy future single-family home developments.

Allow “middle housing” – a minimum of 4 units per lot and up to 6 units per lot with the condition two lots are affordable housing.

Apply to all residential zones in cities of a population of 6,000 or more.

Concerned property owners should send their opinions on these bills to members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Local Government Committee.

— Barb Howard, Spokane Valley