WA House passes Klicker legislation
By Terry Murry on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Washington House of Representative overwhelmingly approved legislation from Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla) Tuesday that would increase affordable housing options in the state.
“I’ve heard from numerous developers whose projects get stalled for months while they wait for design approval on buildings that meet every other regulation,” Klicker said. “If this bill passes, it will remove this obstacle for developers.”
Klicker says that House Bill 1293 would streamline regulations and the permitting process for housing developments in urban growth areas. The bill would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to apply clear and objective design review standards to the exteriors of new development.
The bill, which passed 94-3, would also require the review process to be expedited by limiting the number of public hearings during the design review phase. It would also integrate the consolidated review and design task to streamline and ease the overall approval process. House Bill 1293 would also provide exemptions for residential projects within an urban growth area from some environmental considerations if certain conditions are met, further streamlining the process.
“We need to remove the red tape and obstacles that slow the building industry,” Klicker said. “Cutting unnecessary and burdensome regulations will streamline the permitting process.”
The bill now heads to the Senate.
