MicroGroks
Some elements in our state are trying to force longtime-established single-family zoned neighborhoods into multi-family neighborhoods. Their goal is to eradicate the suburbs and morph towns into cities.
California and a few other states have already ended single-family zoning statewide. And that includes neighborhoods that were ALREADY single-family when people bought into them.
In 2023, HB 44 was a defeated bill that threatened to turn certain single-family-zoned neighborhoods into rental nightmares. However, this year comes an even worse bill, HB 1291, to be heard by a House ‘Special’ Committee on Housing on February 16.
HB1291 reduces the power of our consistently anti-liberty zoning boards to write anti-liberty rules where there is no basis. A typical town’s 1.8-acre minimum lot size has been justified by the scarcity of water and septic capacity and was adopted in an era of poorer understanding and technology.
Friends, HB 1291 is not just an ordinary bill that allows Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). It is HB 44 on steroids. Here is the bill in PDF format – HB 1291 Please notice the sponsors!
We’ve emailed you before about problems with the Housing Appeals Board (HAB), a state-level, 3-person panel of appointed, industry ‘professionals’ who are now allowed to override your town vote by defying the decisions of any of your town boards (planning, zoning, conservation, school, etc.).
It is with great sadness I read your unbalanced commentary and misrepresentation of the facts on HCR1 in your Feb 26 article. (GOOD NEWS HCR1 defeated by Brave #22 Republicans ).
We were disappointed to see that 156 Republicans voted like SHEEP (YES) on HCR1, a call for a Constitutional Convention to AMEND the US Constitution. When confronted, many spouted the very talking points we have heard from the COS lobbyists.
HB 44 was recommended as “OTP” (Ought to Pass) by the House Municipal and County Government Committee by a slim 11-9 margin. One Republican, the sponsor Rep Yokela, voted with Democrats to recommend the bill.
SB400 must be killed! The full House has killed 3 other similar bills in past years, this one is no different. It’s just another bite at the apple, and we can’t let them have it.
