HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5567

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Government Operations

Title:  An act relating to providing for the preservation of single‑family residential neighborhoods.

Brief Description:  Providing for preservation of single‑family residential neighborhoods.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senator Heavey).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  3/21/95, 3/31/95 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; L. Thomas, Vice Chairman; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; D. Schmidt and Van Luven.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chopp; R. Fisher; Sommers and Wolfe.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  The Growth Management Act establishes a number of requirements for counties and cities planning under all of the requirements of the act.

Among other requirements, every county and city planning under all of the requirements of the Growth Management Act must adopt a comprehensive plan that includes a variety of elements and designates urban growth areas, critical areas, and natural resource lands.  The comprehensive plan of a county must include a housing element recognizing the vitality and character of established residential neighborhoods that:

oIncludes an inventory of existing and projected housing needs;

oIncludes a statement of goals and policies for preserving, improving, and developing housing;

oIdentifies sufficient land for housing; and

oMakes adequate provision for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.

Summary of Amended Bill: The housing element of a comprehensive plan adopted under the Growth Management Act must include mandatory provisions to preserve single-family residences, accessory apartments in single family residences, and the leasing of rooms in single family residences.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Accessory apartments and leasing rooms were added.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This legislation will help protect single-family neighborhoods against pressures for higher densities, as was originally intended in the Growth Management Act.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Heavey, prime sponsor.