On Saturday, 5 February 2022, the state legislature will conduct a public hearing of House Bill 1782 in the House Committee on Appropriations. This bill has the potential to radically alter our zoning in University Park, and could drastically change the character and quality of life in our community.

This bill purports to address the need for affordable housing by effectively re-zoning our single family regions to allow “middle housing” types (think multi-plexes), while ignoring the fact that the current University upzone had and missed the opportunity to do this already. This bill will likely fail to make housing more affordable, and will also likely change the character of our community for the worse.
Some of the more noteworthy key provisions of the bill are:

1. Sec. 2.1.a: Any city with a population of 20,000 or more, as of the effective date of this section, that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 must provide by ordinance and incorporate into  its development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, authorization for the development of all middle housing types on all lots zoned for detached single-family residential use and within one-half mile of a major transit stop.
2. Sec. 2.1.b: Such cities must also allow development of duplexes, 11 triplexes, and fourplexes on all other lots zoned for single-family residential use.

Details on the bill may be found here:

• HB1782 Summary: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1782&Year=2021&Initiative=false
• HB1782 Document: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1782.pdf

The Seattle Times has a recent commentary on the bill as well:

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/legislature-should-reject-plan-to-upend-single-family-zoning/

We urge you to express your opinion as soon as possible with our representatives in the 43rd legislative district, and with our Governor.

• You can send commentary to Nicole Macri, Frank Chopp, and Jamie Pedersen all from here (please note the check box that allows sending to all 3 representatives): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/memberEmail/43/1
• You can send commentary to Governor Jay Inslee here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message

The UPCC Board has sent this letter to our representatives and the Governor to express our concern for the issues with this bill and its likely negative impact on our community.

Please let your opinion be heard.