Housing Capacity Preservation Amendment Act of 2025
Impact
The proposed amendment aims to ensure that historic preservation does not come at the expense of housing availability. It establishes a framework whereby new constructions that may have previously faced restrictions due to historic compatibility findings will not be forced into lowering their density or floor area ratio. By aligning historic preservation processes with housing standards, the bill intends to support the growth of urban housing while honoring the historic value of properties.
Summary
B26-0008, known as the Housing Capacity Preservation Amendment Act of 2025, seeks to amend the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978. The primary objective of this bill is to clarify that reviews of new construction by the Historic Preservation Review Board must not result in a reduction of housing units or density below what is allowed under existing zoning laws. This legislative move is largely positioned to encourage new construction and maintain or enhance housing supply in the face of local landmark preservation efforts.
Contention
As with many legislative amendments concerning zoning and historic preservation, B26-0008 may encounter opposition from various stakeholder groups. Advocates for historic preservation may argue that without stringent compatibility assessments, the character and integrity of historic neighborhoods could be compromised in favor of higher density developments. Conversely, proponents of the bill will likely emphasize the necessity of increasing housing availability in response to urban growth and housing shortages, framing it as a need for modernizing legacy laws to better serve current demographic needs.