In a move to create more affordable housing in Arizona, a bill has been introduced in the state legislature that will allow for denser developments via a reform of existing local zoning laws.
Introduced by Senator Steve Kaiser, SB 1117, which was recently approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, will place “limitations on housing design standards,” among other code changes.
If passed, the legislation would require cities and towns throughout the state to allow for everything from new homes, duplexes, and triplexes on very small lots in residential areas.
Moreover, in a move to do away with automatic local government zoning decision, the legislature would require that the governing bodies of any municipality “must adopt by ordinance a citizen review process that applies to all rezoning and specific plan applications that require a public hearing.”
Developers have long complained that the construction of affordable housing in Arizona is hampered by any number of zoning laws and requirements on the local level that make it too problematic and expensive to pursue such projects.
Kaiser’s bill has so far received the backing of the Arizona Association of Realtors, as well as the Arizona Multi-Housing Association, among other organizations. It is opposed by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, which maintains that drastically altering current local zoning procedures does not guarantee new affordable home construction.
By Garry Boulard
