skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC
About Our Blog Our Authors

MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Leonard Bauer

Indoor of a green building under construction

Office-to-Housing Conversion Adds Vibrancy to Downtowns

April 2, 2025  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

With downtowns still struggling to regain pre-COVID occupancy rates, some are wondering whether office-to-residential conversions can provide housing and bring people back. Can local governments remove some of the obstacles and adopt incentives that spur this type of development?

Read more

Want More Affordable Housing? Reducing Infrastructure Costs Could Help

December 31, 2024  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Housing ,  Impact Fees ,  Utilities

With affordable housing as a top priority for communities across the state, local governments can reduce costs related to development fees and reconsider infrastructure requirements to encourage the development of housing projects affordable to all income levels. 

Read more

2 women apply for a permit at a counter

Tips for Timely and Predictable Local Government Permitting

October 9, 2024  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Land Use Administration

Timely, predictable, and transparent permit processes are key to achieving local economic, housing, and environmental protection goals, and help build trust in government. Such processes can be improved in a number of ways, from jargon-free documents to ongoing staff training.

Read more

MRSC Welcomes Leonard Bauer as a Planning Consultant

July 17, 2024  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

His college stints made him both a Cougar and a Duck at different times, but don’t let that stop you from reaching out to our newest planning consultant, Leonard Bauer, for guidance on topics ranging from the GMA to community engagement, missing middle housing, and much more.

Read more

Expanding Affordable Housing Options Through Missing Middle Housing

May 17, 2021  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Guest Author ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing

Part 1 of this two-part blog series looks at how a missing middle housing program can bring new affordable housing options to a city, using case studies from Wenatchee, Orting, Lake Stevens, Fife, and Walla Walla.

Read more

Finding ‘Missing Middle’ Housing, Part 2

April 18, 2019  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Guest Author ,  Housing

The second of a 2-part series looking at the City of ​Olympia’s 2-year experience to encourage the growth of missing middle housing. Part 2 covers lessons learned. 

Read more

Finding ‘Missing Middle’ Housing, Part 1

March 28, 2019  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Guest Author ,  Housing

This 2-part series looks at the City of ​Olympia’s 2-year experience to encourage the growth of missing middle housing. Part 1 examines the formal processes the city undertook, including the creation of a 16-member workgroup to study the issue.

Read more