DC Council Reconsiders Tenant Protections in Building Crisis

Several cities are revising zoning and housing policies to balance growth, affordability, and community concerns. Cedarburg updated its Smart Growth Comprehensive Land Use Plan and introduced a new zoning district targeting mixed-use neighborhoods, despite local opposition to increased apartment development. Spokane made the sales tax funding for affordable housing and behavioral health services permanent, with a commitment to prioritize building new facilities, while debates continue on the allocation between capital and service expenses. Wilson County's Planning Commission reapproved zoning changes including increased minimum lot sizes after a court ruled the prior vote invalid due to procedural issues, emphasizing the need for proper public notice and process. In Washington, D.C., alongside the ongoing tenant rights debate, the Council introduced the Zoning Decision Appeals Amendment Act to limit zoning appeals to nearby or involved parties, require prompt filings, and impose penalties for frivolous appeals, aiming to reduce delays that have hindered housing and community amenity projects.