House Bill 2474 (HB 2474), introduced by Representative Strom Peterson (D), would restrict final zoning decision authority by local elected officials for transitional housing, and gives the decision to unelected bureaucrats in the Department of Commerce.

Washington is facing an unprecedented homelessness crisis and many organizations have been working to provide programs, including transitional housing, to help the homeless get back on their feet. Some organizations have worked with local community members to find appropriate locations to provide programs and services. Some organizations have turned to government to fund programs and services.

Plymouth Housing has recently received approval from the City of Redmond to build 100 units of transitional housing in the downtown area. The City of Redmond gave $8 million in taxpayer dollars to Plymouth Housing in cash and land for the development.

In a similar application to the City of Kenmore, Plymouth Housing failed to secure the development permit from the city as city leaders took into account significant community feedback opposed to the project and decided there wasn’t an appropriate location for the development.

The decision in both cases was made at the local level.

Now, lawmakers in Olympia want to restrict local zoning authority from municipalities and give the authority to the Department of Commerce (DOC) to hold back state tax dollars if a city does something DOC doesn't agree with. In the case where local elected officials decide not to zone for homeless transitional housing, an unelected bureaucrat in the Department of Commerce would be able to unilaterally withhold state tax dollars from local city councils and force them to accommodate a transitional housing development.

This is an affront to local citizen engagement in government. Feedback from residents, who may support or oppose the placement of transitional housing, could have their feedback ignored or overruled by a state employee.

There is no restriction on placement of transitional housing as HB 2474 would allow ‘ transitional housing or permanent supportive housing in any zones in which residential dwelling units or hotels are allowed’ according to RCW 35.21.683.

In the case of Kenmore, the City Council heard the feedback from the residents and acted in the best interest of the city.

The zoning dispute process in the Department of Commerce will cost the taxpayers of Washington an estimated 1.25 million dollars a year to administer.

House Bill 2474 is a circumvention of local zoning authority, removes the local elected representatives from the land use decision process and overrides the ability of citizens to have input into how their community is developed.

House Bill 2474 is State Government overreach and should not be adopted.

The bill has its final hearing in the Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs committee February 20, 8am.