Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1050422
MINIMUM NET URBAN DENSITY Other ideas MBAKS is advocating for in the next legislative session include establishing a minimum net urban density standard in residential zones and creating a new grant program to promote adoption of planning tools in local jurisdictions State Senator Guy Palumbo discussed his support for carrying forward these ideas, saying "We are at a breaking point where we need to do something to add density We need to either turn the tide toward cities or start solving for sprawl and investing in infrastructure " PANEL DISCUSSION The MBAKS Housing Solutions Breakfast also featured a panel of policymakers and housing experts, moderated by Peter Orser of the UW's Runstad Department of Real Estate Panelists—including Representatives Tana Senn and Joe Fitzgibbon; Georgia Stevens with Compass; and Tony To, executive director of HomeSight—offered a range of perspectives on solutions needed for housing The discussion highlighted the challenges facing buyers and renters and reaffirmed that much work is needed to ensure more of our region's residents can live near job centers Panelists covered why condo reform is so important, the need to embrace density and add housing choices for all economic segments, and more ACTION PLAN FOR HOUSING Other items on the 2019 MBAKS legislative agenda include: • Technical amendments to the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act • Changing the urban standard for short plats to nine lots in urban growth areas, with a local option to allow short plats up to 30 lots "We are at a breaking point where we need to do something to add density... We need to either turn the tide toward cities or start solving for sprawl and investing in infrastructure." —State Senator Guy Palumbo • Modifying the Local Project Review Act to eliminate the 28-day completeness review and the 14-day re-review for a determination of consistency • Funding to continue successful implementation work related to buildable lands report reform WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ADVANCE MBAKS' LEGISLATIVE AGENDA At the program's conclusion, Sims invited attendees to join MBAKS in pursuing changes like these that will make a real difference as we tackle our housing affordability crisis To keep up with our efforts in both Olympia and locally, members are encouraged to sign up for the MBAKS Primary Contacts Program, a coordinated grassroots effort designed to connect you, our members, with your state legislators To learn more and to sign up for our Primary Contacts Program, visit mbaks com/primary-contacts See more of what we have in store for 2019 at mbaks.com/legislative-agenda 47 master builder WINTER 2018 master builder