Housing Reform Proposal

I voted against House Bills 5002 and 8002, the Democrats’ omnibus housing

bills, citing concerns that they would erode local control over zoning by

imposing state mandates. These bills would establish “fair share” housing

allocations for every municipality; require local zoning to permit, as of right,

the conversion of certain commercial properties to residential uses; prohibit

municipalities from imposing minimum parking requirements on housing

developments; and allow developers who prevail in appeals under the state’s

8-30g affordable housing statute to recover attorneys’ fees from towns. They

bundle multiple proposals into a single measure and moved forward outside

typical procedural practices.

I’m committed to safeguarding local decision making from overreaching

state regulations, which is why I voted against these bills. Our communities

know their needs best and deserve the flexibility to govern accordingly.