Longmont City Council officially opposed Gov. Jared Polis’ housing bill on Tuesday, but noted their desire for the state to assist with the housing crisis in other ways.
Senate Bill 23-213 is an extensive housing proposal that would be a significant shift in how the state’s cities grow by opening up density options in large cities. However, several municipalities including Longmont have come out against the bill due to several planning powers that would be taken away from local governments.
“I believe that SB23-113 is deeply flawed, will create a horrendous bureaucracy and slow down the process of equitable urbanization for progressive cities like Longmont that have already traveled far down that road,” Councilmember Marcia Martin said.
However, Martin noted that there are a couple things that local control can’t do for Longmont. She spoke specifically to the statutory powers in homeowner’s associations and the need for other cities across the Front Range to address the housing crisis in their own communities.
“Longmont’s aspirations have frequently been thwarted by independent HOAs within our municipal boundaries,” she said.
She noted Longmont’s efforts to make the city more affordable for people who work here as a way to reduce traffic and improve worker satisfaction.
“But if Longmont is the only city within commuting distance that lowers housing costs to make the live-work dream come true, then Longmont risks becoming a bedroom community for cities like Boulder with less land and more jobs,” Martin said. “That’s already happened to Longmont once, resulting in the sprawling suburbs we have now.”
Martin wanted the council to oppose the housing bill unless amended. Mayor Joan Peck noted that many have pointed out that it may be too late in this year’s legislative session to make the many amendments the long bill would likely need — the state legislature is scheduled to adjourn May 6.
“(Gov. Polis) threw everything but the kitchen sink in here,” Peck said.
Peck also raised issues with the water-focused section of the bill, which she felt would mean that Longmont, with its relatively secure water supply, would have to share with communities that have not planned as well.
“Part of this bill is that we should all share our water, and I’m not sure we want to do that in Longmont after we’ve worked so hard to keep our water supply,” she said. “If they’re building suburbia, they should build within their water capacity.”
The city council unanimously voted to oppose the housing bill unless amended. The bill had a hearing Thursday that s expected to last several hours.
