A bipartisan proposal to allow small cafés and neighborhood markets in residential areas is dead for the year after failing to get a hearing in the state Senate. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.
Sponsored by Representative Mark Klicker, House Bill 1175 would require cities and towns to allow small cafés and neighborhood markets in residential areas, while still letting local governments regulate hours, parking and size.
Despite near unanimous House approval, Klicker says the proposal stalled once it reached the Senate.
“This bill was so popular, I actually had more Democrat co-sponsors on this bill than Republicans. And I had more of the Democrats coming over, wanting this bill to get passed. And it showed when we passed it out of the House.”
Klicker says the proposal never even received a hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee.
“Really it comes down to one person. And this time that person is the chair of that committee and chose to not even have a hearing on it again.”
The Walla Walla Republican says the idea to build stronger communities continues to gain public support. He plans to keep working with cities, lawmakers and stakeholders in the coming months before bringing the proposal back again next year.
“Not going to give up on it.”
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Washington State House Republican Communications