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HOUSING, ANNEXATION, COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREAS TAKEN UP AFTER LEGISLATURE RETURNED FROM BREAK
Returning from a two-week break, the legislature has returned with a flurry of activity. The Budget (HB 96) is now being negotiated in the Senate with hearings and speculation on amendments to the House passed version. While pro-housing policies are a focus on one hand, various residential development tools are under attack on the other. During the April 30th House Local Government hearing, HB 113 Annexation and Property Tax Exemptions (Bird, Newman) proponents testified on the proposed modifications to annexation and CRA policy. The testimony is a good reminder of the challenges and sentiment for housing development in some areas. HB 113 starts at 1:33 of the hearing at the link below.
Also, this week, Senator Reynolds introduced SB 184 Development Districts to establish residential economic development districts and to create a grant program for housing developments within such districts. These districts would be areas where there is a (1) “Major economic development project” means a project in this state that meets both of the following criteria: (a) The project is reasonably expected to create, retain, and attract jobs or otherwise improve the economic well-being of the area surrounding the project site; (b) At least seven hundred million dollars in private investments are committed to establish, expand, renovate, or occupy a facility as part of a single project at a designated project site, including investment in new buildings, additions or improvements to existing buildings, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and inventory.
A county, township, or municipal corporation that is fully or partially located within a residential economic development district may apply for a grant under this section in the form and manner prescribed by the department of development, including pro-housing policies and density considerations, among other items. “Residential economic development district” means all parcels of land within a twenty-mile radius of a major economic development project.
OHBA is reviewing the proposal and would welcome any feedback. SB 184 can be found at the link below.