A bill that would prevent cities and towns from regulating home designs has been sent for a full vote by a North Carolina Senate committee, The News & Observer reports.
According to Sen. Brent Jackson, a Sampson County Republican, the old design regulations drove up the cost of housing, and home builders have asked for this change for years.
A compromise is being sought by the N.C. League of Municipalities, and their lobbyists say the new bill would harm homeowners who rely on the guidelines for their neighborhood’s value. The league is backed by Sen. Tamara Barringer, a Cary Republican, who says developers can use the bill to build substandard housing, decreasing the value of surrounding homes.
