Why We Oppose the Ballot Measures 300/301
Louisville Chamber of Commerce (10/22/25)
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Why We Oppose the Ballot Measures 300/301
The Louisville Chamber stands in opposition to ballot measures 300/301 because they would have serious unintended consequences for our city’s affordability, business community, and economic vitality.
While well-intentioned, these proposals would make it harder—not easier—to build affordable housing, raise development costs, and discourage new investment in our local business community. By slowing responsible growth and adding costly new regulations, they would hurt the small businesses and service providers that depend on a vibrant, expanding local economy.
Importantly, the Chamber is not alone in this view. The entire Louisville City Council, along with AdventHealth Avista Hospital, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, the Downtown Business Association, the Sierra Club, Thistle Community Housing, Together Colorado, and YIMBY North Metro. In addition, numerous community and business leaders have voiced strong opposition to these measures because they recognize the long-term harm they would cause to affordability and opportunity.
Louisville’s success has always come from collaboration, not mandates. We believe in policies that expand opportunity for all: creating homes people can afford, spaces where businesses can thrive, and a strong, sustainable local economy that benefits everyone.
“These measures may sound appealing on the surface, but they would hurt the small businesses that make Louisville thrive, raise costs on employers, and halt affordable housing. We stand with the City Council, AdventHealth Avista Hospital, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, the Sierra Club, and other business and community leaders in opposing 300/301."
— Gillian Millar, Executive Director, Louisville Chamber of Commerce
We urge residents to learn more and join us in voting “No on 300/301” to keep Louisville growing responsibly, affordably, and inclusively.
(Learn more at louisvilletogether.org)
If interested in supporting our advocacy efforts please swing by to collect flyers and yard signs from the Chamber at 901 Main Street: Tue - Thur (9:30 - 4:30)
MORE INFO:
Advocacy Brief: Chamber Position on 2025 Ballot Measures
The Louisville Chamber of Commerce opposes Ballot Measures 300/301 for the following reasons:
1. They would stall affordable housing projects.
The 30% affordability mandate is among the highest in the nation and would make most projects financially unfeasible. Instead of increasing affordable units, it risks eliminating them altogether—worsening the housing shortage and pushing families, seniors, and workers out of Louisville.
2. They would raise development costs and reduce investment.
The “Development Pays Its Own Way” proposal would dramatically increase fees on new projects. These added costs discourage both commercial and mixed-use development and shift growth to neighboring cities, making Louisville less competitive and reducing future tax revenues.
3. They create a ripple effect that hurts local businesses.
When development slows, so does demand for local services—from contractors and realtors to restaurants, retailers, and professional firms. Reduced business investment means fewer customers, less foot traffic, and lower sales tax revenue that supports essential city services.
4. They undermine years of community planning and collaboration.
The measures bypass extensive public planning work and add rigid mandates without council support or feasibility studies. Louisville already has a balanced, community-driven Comprehensive Plan designed to grow housing and business opportunity together.
5. We stand with Louisville’s leaders and community partners.
The Chamber joins the Louisville City Council, affordable housing experts, nonprofit partners, and a broad coalition of residents and employers who all oppose these measures. This shared opposition reflects a unified concern that the initiatives would do lasting harm to housing affordability, economic growth, and community balance.
The Chamber’s Position:
We respectfully urge a “No on 300/301” vote to protect affordability, business vitality, and the long-term health of our local economy. We support solutions that grow jobs, housing, and opportunity together — not ordinances that restrict development and make living here more expensive.
CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
The Louisville Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee provided the same set of questions to both candidates for City Council/ Ward 1 for the upcoming election in November.
Their unedited responses are copied along with their contact information and campaign websites should you wish to learn more.
