LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey joined a group of bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers at a press conference announcing plans to help tackle Michigan’s lack of available and affordable housing.
“It’s such a common phrase in Lansing these days, but it’s a very real issue, that costs are simply too high for most families — and it’s especially felt when trying to find housing,” said Lindsey, R-Coldwater. “This is partially a government-induced problem from overregulation, complicated zoning and red tape. We have a group of people with a very common, very agreeable goal that are working on eliminating these barriers and producing meaningful changes.”
Lawmakers focused largely on regulation costs, which can amount to roughly $94,000 in a new build, and removing other barriers that negatively impact the availability of housing.
“I’m very much supportive of reining in regulatory burdens and red tape across all of state government,” Lindsey said. “This isn’t the only area where government regulations are stifling growth, but housing is one of the more glaring examples and is one that we should all agree on. We cannot grow as a state if people have nowhere to live.”
Reforms in the proposals include removing complicated or burdensome zoning requirements, easing minimum parking space requirements, improving the efficient use of land in new developments and lowering the minimum square footage requirements to allow smaller, easier-to-build starter homes to be developed.
The bills also focus on reducing local bureaucratic delays by creating standards for local governments to follow when considering development requests, such as implementing a 60-day timeline for decisions on development requests and requiring site plans be approved if they meet all requirements — among other reforms.
“I was grateful to be involved with the press conference and plan to be a very active partner in getting support for these bills in the Senate,” Lindsey said.
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