Senate Bill 445 is a 55 page hodgepodge of individual pieces of legislation that did not pass on their own merit during the legislative session. By lumping items like swimming lessons, massage salons, limited liability corporations, penalties for stealing water, reckless littering, telephone solicitations, etc. – many of which make sense – representatives like Mr. Zenger also can sneak in special interest legislation like allowing accessory dwelings in neighborhoods that preempts local zoning and planning authority.
The accessory dwelings provision is a leftover from Mr. Zenger’s previous attempts (H765) to force local government to allow more than one home (not storage sheds) on a lot in areas zoned for lower density single-family homes.
This means that, unless your HOA specifically prohibits it, your neighbor can add an additional house on their property which can be used as a rental and potentially affect your property value.
Towns like Lewisville base many of their development ordinances on density to try to manage growth and preserve lower density where possible. Higher density is allowed in our downtown area with lower density as you move away from the central business district.
Density is the key concept in managing growth. By doubling the number of homes allowed in single family zoned neighborhoods Mr. Zenger’s legislation doubles the number of people, the number of cars and the number of children attending our already crowded schools among other things. S445 is just another way Mr. Zenger and his developer friends use to end run established local development ordinances designed to manage growth.
Unfortunately, because of this sneaky procedure, it’s now the law. Fortunately, a last minute change exempted cities under 50,000 population. But there is always the next session of the legislature and passage of this bill sets a precedent to include all cities and towns. Please remember this in November and think about how much more damage Mr. Zenger might do to local authority if he is reelected.
LINKS
House Bill H765
Senate Bill S445
Mr. Zenger’s Campaign Contributors
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