On February 25, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 891 – Land Use and Real Property – Accessory Dwelling Units – Requirements and Prohibitions.
This bill preempts county land use authority, removing local oversight of “accessory dwelling units” (ADU) in residential areas, and is highly inconsistent with the recommendations of the ADU taskforce.
MR. Sanderson pointed out areas in the bill that defied logic, noting, “any place within three-quarters of a mile of an Amtrak station, in here there can’t be any parking limits, that train might get you to Philadelphia but it won’t get you to Elkton.”
Pressed by the sponsor to find a path to support an amended bill, he pledged “we will certainly read any amendments, we’ll expedite that.”
While MACo appreciates the intent of SB 891, as drafted, this bill would apply a one-size-fits-all approach that will not directly address housing affordability across the state. Additionally, beyond the sweeping override of local oversight, as drafted, the bill dramatically deviates from the handful of consensus points that were agreed upon during the ADU taskforce deliberations.
SB 891’s cross-file, HB 1466, was heard on March 4 in the House Environment and Transportation Committee. Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified in opposition to this bill.
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