Controversial proposals that would direct cities to rapidly increase housing around light rail stations have died in the House and Senate.

Neither the House measure nor the Senate proposal were presented for a floor vote by the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline.

The measures called for dense development near transit hubs as a way to reduce greenhouse gases and other environmental hazards by getting people out of their cars and into mass transit. The bills also aimed to ensure that affordable housing was built around the stations.

While the concept was embraced by pro-transit and environmental groups, residents in South Seattle and members of Seattle government fought against certain parts of the proposals.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, long a proponent of light rail and environmentally friendly development, was concerned with the state mandating density in city neighborhoods.
John Fox, of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, said that mandated density could leave already congested Capitol Hill, the University District, Roosevelt, Northgate and other neighborhoods around Sound Transit stations denser than any area north of San Francisco.

The measure in the House was sponsored by Rep. Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island. The Senate proposal was sponsored by Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane.