City planner to oppose state housing mandates; urges local ADU policy work

City planning staff briefed the Troy Planning Commission on pending state legislation addressing housing that staff said could significantly alter local zoning practice if passed. Planner Carlisle said nine bills pending in the state House include measures to reduce minimum lot sizes, cap front‑yard setbacks and allow duplexes and other higher‑density uses by right in single‑family districts, as well as a 60‑day review shot clock for site plans.

Carlisle said many professional organizations and municipalities have concerns about a one‑size‑fits‑all mandate, particularly because infrastructure and community preference vary by jurisdiction. "What frustrates me the most is the state's good at doing unfunded mandates," Carlisle said, urging the commission that ADU policy and missing‑middle solutions be pursued locally with community input rather than imposed wholesale.

Commissioners discussed how other states have implemented similar measures and whether those efforts qualify as successful models. Carlisle and multiple commissioners emphasized the importance of local engagement and the risk that a state mandate could create unintended consequences — for example, requiring infrastructure improvements without providing funding.

Carlisle said he has been asked to testify at the House public hearing Thursday and will report back to the commission after that testimony. Commissioners did not take formal action on the matter but requested updates on the legislative outcome and possible local policy responses such as exploring ADU rules.