The Capitol was abuzz with activity this week as the legislature faced the second committee deadline. This included the introduction of the Senate’s version of the housing omnibus bill, carried by the Chair of the Housing Committee, Senator Rich Draheim (R, Madison Lake). During Tuesday’s hearing, the Housing Committee heard testimony from the public and interested parties. Peter Coyle, lawyer and lobbyist with Larkin Hoffman, testified on behalf of Housing First Minnesota.
“Minnesota is encountering an enormous housing crisis in terms of the supply and affordability of housing,” Coyle stated. “This bill is an important step in trying to address that problem. Both by allocating needed public resources and also addressing needed private market reforms. The modifications to the authority to mandate PUDs on developers and builders is an important step, as is the restriction on the imposition of aesthetic requirements.”
As currently written, the bill would prohibit a municipality from requiring a planned unit development agreement in lieu of a proposed residential development if the proposed residential development complies with existing ordinances. Additionally, it would require a PUD agreement to be made available to the public at least seven days prior to the governing body’s review of the agreement.
The bill also prohibits a municipality from conditioning approval of a building permit, subdivision development or PUD on the use of specific materials, design, or other aesthetic conditions not required by the State Building Code.
“During the entirety of this legislative session we have heard bipartisan concerns about the severe lack of housing supply and growing affordability issues everyday Minnesotans are facing,” said Mark Foster, director of legislative & political affairs at Housing First Minnesota. “By including this language in their housing omnibus bill, we are encouraged by the Senate’s priority to help more Minnesotans achieve the American Dream.”
The housing omnibus bill was officially voted on and passed out of committee on Thursday. The Senate Finance Committee will hear it on Monday. The House Housing Committee is planning to review their version of the housing omnibus bill next week.
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