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<br />A great place to live, work and play…today and tomorrow <br /> <br />Government Center | 14949 62nd Street North | P. O. Box 6 | Stillwater, MN 55082-0006 <br />P: 651-430-6001 | F: 651-430-6017 | TTY: 651-430-6246 <br />www.co.washington.mn.us <br /> <br />Washington County is an equal opportunity organization and employer <br /> <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Fran Miron, District 1 <br />Chair Stan Karwoski, District 2 <br />Gary Kriesel, District 3 <br />Karla Bigham, District 4 <br />Michelle Clasen, District 5 <br /> <br /> <br />March 26, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br />Senator Nicole Mitchell Senator Lindsey Port Representative Ginny Klevorn <br />3229 Minnesota Senate Bldg. 3213 Minnesota Senate Bldg. 581 State Office Bldg. <br />St. Paul, MN 55155 St. Paul, MN 55155 St. Paul, MN 55155 <br /> <br />Dear Senator Nicole Mitchell, Chair Port and Chair Klevorn, <br />The Washington County Board of Commissioners appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on proposed <br />Missing Middle Housing legislation (SF 3964/HF 4009). The County Board certainly supports the goal of increasing <br />the supply of affordable housing, workforce housing, and senior housing, as well as providing support and housing <br />for those who are experiencing homelessness. <br /> As we have discussed with our county legislative delegation, the county is grateful for the local affordable housing <br />aid and we have partnered with our Community Development Agency (CDA) to use those funds in 2024 for <br />preservation of affordable housing and incentives to build deeply affordable housing. In 2024, the Washington <br />County CDA will provide financing to three new developments and one existing development for capital needs and <br />rent subsidies. The county will also be building a 30-unit facility to support adults who are experiencing <br />homelessness. <br />However, while we support the housing goals listed above, we share the concerns identified by many of the <br />municipalities and counties in the metropolitan region regarding the proposed Missing Middle Housing legislation. <br />Not unlike in other policy areas, the county is concerned about legislation that would restrict or eliminate local <br />control and the unintended consequences that state mandates can have. <br />The provisions in the bill as introduced preempt city zoning and land-use authorities, limits public input and should <br />consider approved long-range comprehensive plans. This lack of consideration for how local municipalities utilize <br />zoning and land use authority to ensure investments in public infrastructure are sized and scaled appropriately to <br />support new housing developments may degrade our cities’ and counties’ ability to be responsive to our residents. <br />Washington County is a rapidly growing county and is faced with many challenges as a result, including ensuring <br />an adequate supply of clean drinking water, especially in areas that are being impacted by PFAS contamination. <br />Some of the changes in the proposed legislation would likely make it more difficult for the county and its cities to <br />adequately support the new development and ensure we protect our natural resources. <br />