Arizona Lawmakers Reject Bill Aimed at Preserving Historic Homes Amid Housing Debate
In a recent decision, Arizona state legislators voted down a proposal designed to limit the demolition of historic homes for the construction of “middle housing.” This term refers to housing types such as townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix), who advocated for the bill, emphasized its intent to safeguard historical structures. He sarcastically thanked housing advocates for persuading a majority of lawmakers to oppose the bill. “I want to thank them for coming in and blocking this bill even though we watered it down so much that it’s doing one key thing related to protecting perfectly good historic homes,” Gress remarked.
Although the bill faced a 25-30 defeat in the House of Representatives, Gress indicated his determination to revisit the proposal before the legislative session concludes this year. The opposition came from both sides of the aisle, with some legislators reportedly changing their stance under pressure from housing lobbyists advocating for increased housing supply.
Last year, legislation was enacted preempting municipalities from obstructing middle housing developments in numerous cases. Housing organizations, including the Homebuilders Association of Central Arizona and the Arizona Housing Coalition, argued that Gress’ proposal represents an attempt by cities to reverse this legislation.
Supported by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, the bill faced criticism from legislators like Rep. Sarah Liguori (D-Phoenix). “Historic neighborhoods were built on middle housing principles and I think that more neighborhoods and more accessibility and different housing types is what we as a body should be doing for Arizonans not retracting backwards,” Liguori stated, explaining her opposition to the bill.
The proposed legislation aimed to restrict middle housing development on sites where historic homes once stood, except when such homes were demolished due to safety reasons. Liguori expressed concern that this provision could infringe on private property rights. Additionally, the bill would have mandated that middle housing in historic areas be compatible with the “historic character, scale, and setting” of the neighborhood.
