Streamlined Processing

Muni

CEQA Exemptions Could Finally Be Granted to Sustainable Transportation Projects

California has traditionally granted environmental exemptions to large projects like football stadiums, a practice criticized by environmentalists and urbanists alike. SB 288 would change that, with exemptions for sustainable transportation projects.

June 16, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

California Beach Town

Huntington Beach Sues California Over 2017 By-Right Affordable Housing Bill

When it comes to housing lawsuits involving the state and new housing laws, Huntington Beach might be ground zero. Over a week before Attorney General Becerra sued the Orange County city at the behest of Gov. Newsom, the city sued the state.

January 31, 2019 - SF Gate

California's First Use of 2017 'By-Right' Housing Law

A Berkeley parking lot is the site of the state's first implementation of a controversial landmark law that allows eligible developments with affordable housing to bypass the normal channels for approval if they conform to local zoning laws.

March 14, 2018 - KPIX

Toll Road Truck

Praise for the Trump Infrastructure Plan

While there has been no lack of criticism (some might say condemnation) of the $200 billion investment that aims to generate an additional $1.3 trillion, some individuals and groups have stepped forward to praise the plan, or at least parts of it.

February 14, 2018 - DC Velocity

Complying With New State Laws on ADUs No Easy Matter

Santa Rosa is struggling to complying with two laws passed last year to encourage construction of inlaw units to increase affordable housing. Council members are concerned that loosened restrictions would degrade neighborhood character.

December 11, 2017 - The Press Democrat

Construction

California's New 'By-Right' Housing Law: Will it Make a Difference?

A new law could enable affordable housing projects, if they meet the specified criteria, to bypass the public process that so often blocks their approval.

October 5, 2017 - Los Angeles Daily News

Newport Beach High-Rise

Two Housing Bills Will Exacerbate California's Housing Shortage

SB 35 (Wiener) and AB 199 (Chu) make it more costly to build housing by requiring prevailing wages where applicable, pleasing construction unions but making affordable housing less affordable, opines CALmatters political columnist, Dan Walters.

August 21, 2017 - CALmatters

Infill Development is Key to Meeting California's Emission Reduction Law

If California is going to meet the new, steep emissions reductions required by a law passed last September, one of the most effective strategies will be to promote infill housing, according to a new report from University of California at Berkeley.

April 8, 2017 - Builder

Leaving California

A Proposed Legislative Solution to California's Out-Migration Epidemic

The Sacramento Bee follows-up a revealing report on lower income workers leaving California due largely to exorbitant housing costs with an editorial endorsing legislation by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco to address the source of the problem.

March 13, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee

Gov. Jerry Brown Restricts Funds for Affordable Housing in New Budget

California's recent rains brought relief to a large part of the water-starved state, but another drought of a political nature hasn't seen relief—the will of coastal municipalities to permit more housing. Brown outlined a way for new funding.

January 15, 2017 - Streetsblog California

Leaving California

New Housing Report Finds California Fails to Produce 100,000 Units Annually

The report by the state Department of Housing and Community Development is in the form of a draft assessment that solicits comments. For the last 10 years, the state produced on average 80,000 units annually, while the need was for 180,000 units.

January 7, 2017 - Public CEO

Report: California Should Treat Housing Crisis like Climate Change

The California Apartment Association released a report on what it will take to solve the state's chronic housing shortage. Cities that are loath to permit new residential developments, both affordable and market rate, will not be pleased.

January 1, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

California

Another Attempt at California's By-Right Affordable Housing Proposal

The new streamlining bill for affordable housing will not have the governor's name, but that of freshman Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, who made a name for himself as a tenacious housing advocate while San Francisco County Supervisor.

December 20, 2016 - KQED: California Report

Bradenton Florida

The Genesis of a Medium-Sized City's Affordable Housing Strategy

Bradenton, a medium-sized city on the Gulf Coast of Florida, offers a case study in affordable housing policy.

October 29, 2016 - Bradenton Herald

Closed Beach

Why California's By-Right Affordable Housing Proposal Died

California's average home prices are 2.5 times the national average and rising, so why is it so hard to build a political coalition to build more housing, and especially more affordable housing?

September 16, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Fringe Development

California's $400 Million for By-Right Affordable Housing Dies in the Legislature

An affordable housing proposal proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown failed to marshal the necessary support in the State Legislature, facing opposition from a coalition of labor and environmental groups, as well as the League of California Cities.

August 24, 2016 - San Francisco Housing Action Coalition

Edge condition houses transect

California Governor Proposes Streamlined Affordable Housing Process

Rather than devoting more funds for affordable housing, California Governor Jerry Brown is supporting streamlined regulations, mandated by the state and enacted at the local level .

May 18, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

After the Death of Redevelopment, Utilizing the Tools at Hand

In an editorial for The Sacramento Bee, William Fulton outlines the multitude of resources and strategies currently available to assist Californian cities in proceeding with redevelopment.

February 9, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

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