Posted by A little noticed interview with Gov. Jay Inslee could potentially mean a new push to up-zone land in the Puget Sound region to accommodate more housing.
In a Dec. 10 interview with the Tacoma News Tribune, Inslee said “he will ask the state Legislature next year to approve major initiatives to increase the number of homes in Washington to address high prices and also take steps to reduce homelessness, which he called a ‘statewide crisis.’”
The News Tribune continued, quoting Inslee, “We’ve got to build more housing stock, and we are going to propose some proposals on how to do that, which will include financing more low-income housing,” he said. “But we also have to find a place to site new housing, which has to do with some of our land-use planning decisions.”
The governor said details will be released later this month. The Legislature opens its 60-day regular session on Jan. 13.
In February, State Sen, Mike Palumbo proposed a revision to the Growth Management Act—which applies to Bainbridge Island—that would mandate a minimum zoning of R-6, or six units per acre.
Growth and development continue to be a major issue on the Island.
Inslee lives on Bainbridge Island.
Bainbridge Comment 