One of the growing planning and zoning trends across the country is zoning reform. The catalyst of the conversation is housing affordability and availability. The National Association of Realtors fall 2023 publication of their magazine “On Common Ground” focuses on zoning innovation. There are many thought provoking articles with a variety of opinions on what needs to be reformed or changed. One such article, Zoning Innovation from Coast to Coast, states that, “nearly every state in the union has a severe shortage of homes, with the national shortfall nearing a record 4 million units”. Much of the housing shortage is in workforce housing or the “missing middle”. To address the shortage many states and municipalities have turned to mandating accessory dwelling units and eliminating single family zoning. The article further states that, “Over the last few legislative sessions, a wave of states considered or adopted reforms that require localities to plan and zone for more housing. In 2023 alone, legislatures in Washington, Montana, Rhode Island, Colorado and Arizona considered bills to allow, by right, additional residences on the same property as stand-alone houses, also known as accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Ultimately Montana and Washington voted to join California, Oregon and Maine, who made similar moves in recent years. Legislatures also considered measures to legalize so-called middle housing in single-family zones. Those are the smaller multi-unit buildings — such as duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments — that were common in popular neighborhoods from the early 20th century before being outlawed by mid-century zoning changes.”
Locally, we need to be careful in evaluating any strategy we consider. Most of these changes are geared towards large, developed metropolitan areas and not small to mid-sized cities with available land and redevelopment opportunities. Building multiple units on one lot that has been historically single family has the potential to rapidly change the character of existing neighborhoods. There are varying opinions on if this is good or bad for these neighborhoods. Perhaps this is a word of caution for state mandated reforms taking away local home rule. Zoning reform on its own will not solve the housing shortage. Even the article recognizes this when it states, “the middle housing and ADU changes alone will still leave a formidable gap in available and affordable housing.” Our community continues to discuss the issue(s) and is working to identify and implement solutions that will work for us locally. Our staff, along with city and county staff, the Chamber of Commerce and others are working on a variety of solution oriented answers to help with our housing shortages. What are these? Sponsored housing developments, different types of subsidies, varying housing types, and yes, a measure of zoning reform. One thing is certain, it will take a community solution to make a difference, one we are all committed to.