I’m back!  Haven’t posted anything for a while as I’ve been out of the country for a couple of weeks on another big trip my wife set up for us.  But, it’s time to get back in the saddle as things are starting to heat up on the housing affordability and land use stage.

First, I just wanted you all see this story from Stateline, a nonprofit new organization focused on multi- state issues, about housing and zoning reform.  The story by Robbie Sequeira does a pretty good job of summarizing where things are at in various states around the country on this issue.  Most cogent to me about all these efforts taking place all over is the comment at the end of the story from Lori Droste, a Berkeley California councilmember:

“Zoning reform is going to take time. It’s probably going to take 20 years before anyone notices real changes. But if we don’t start now, the housing crisis will only get worse,” she said.

When asked by Stateline if she expects any legal action if the upzoning proposal is successful, Droste responded, “I imagine there will be. I’m not in the city attorney’s office, but absolutely there’s going to be some sort of backlash.”

We may be just embarking here in Utah on some of the more challenging aspects of those efforts, and we’ll see what the fallout may be.

Last week, the Commission on Housing Affordability met to get updates from the various working groups on what initiatives are moving forward.  Among a variety of topics and issues, some of those that we have indicated previously continue to progress.  Parking standards definitely seems to be one that is making headway, and consideration of external ADUs as well.  One working group chair stated that while there is not complete agreement, his group is going to proposed language to propose some manner of blanket density upgrade and/or housing styles mandates statewide.  That’ll be something to watch for.

Tomorrow are legislative interim meetings, and there will be some interesting things coming out of that as well.  The economic development and workforce services interim committee is going to be discussing housing affordability, with a report from the CHA forthcoming.  In the afternoon, the Political Subdivisions interim committee will be hearing a proposal from Rep. Ray Ward about a bill addressing minimum lot sizes and subdivisions.  It has some similarities to his bill last legislative session, but also some new approaches.  I’ve seen the bill in the land use task force meeting, but it is still protected and I won’t be able to share details on the blog here until after he makes it public, at tomorrow’s interim meeting.  So stay tuned!