The lone survivor of Sen. Scott Wiener's trio of "Housing-First Policy" bills awaits a decision by Gov. Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 828, intended to increase the amount of land zoned for housing in California cities, was weakened by amendments.
Senate Bill 828: Housing element, authored by state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), was intended to ensure that housing construction in cities and counties kept pace with population growth by making changes to the controversial state housing needs allocation process.
In 2016, only 13 local jurisdictions among the state's 540 cities and counties met their state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirement. See Sen. Wiener's "Fixing RHNA" fact sheet [Google.doc.]
SB 828 is the middle bill in the Wiener's aggressive 'Housing-First Policy' trio, introduced in January with SB 827: transit rich housing bonus, and SB 829: farmworker housing, and it is the lone survivor, so far.
When initially introduced in January, the bill "doubled the amount of land local governments had to zone to meet local housing needs — a potential boon to multifamily developers across the state," reported
ncreased residential zoning requirement for cities and counties in the bill was weakened and then eliminated through the legislative process.
While not as ambitious as first envisioned, the bill could still result in more residential zoning. The law sent to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk this week allows the state to take into account existing need as well as projected future need when determining zoning allocations.
The bill, sponsored by the Bay Area Council and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, is opposed by the American Planning Association, California Chapter [pdf].
A related bill, AB 1771, by Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), "aims to make the RHNA allocation process more equitable by allowing non-governmental organizations and surrounding jurisdictions to challenge the allocation of another jurisdiction," according to Bloom. Co-sponsored by the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and the Western Center on Law and Poverty [pdf], APA California was kinder to it, taking a "support if amended" position [pdf]. It also sits on Brown's desk.
As for the two sibling bills in Wiener's housing package, SB 827 died early at its first committee hearing in April. SB 829, co-authored by Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford), experienced an even more ignominious death through the gut-and-amend process, morphing in April into a child care bill, and in May to a cannabis bill. It's on the governor's desk in that form.
SB 828 in Planetizen:
FULL STORY: Zoning law goes to Jerry Brown with far fewer teeth
Legislation Would Ensure California Housing Construction Keeps Pace with Population Growth
A companion bill to the controversial SB 827, also introduced Sen. Scott Wiener (D-S.F)., could have a similar impact on housing production but hasn't gathered nearly as much attention. SB 828 makes critical changes to the state's housing supply law.
Four Interest Groups Contributed to the California Transit-Housing Bill's Defeat
Two journalists discuss what led to the defeat of the SB 827, the controversial bill which garnered national attention and lots of in-state opposition from groups that one would think would support the effort to address the state's housing crisis.
Inclusionary Zoning Bill to Increase Affordable Rentals Passes California Assembly
Due to a 2009 court decision, cities and counties in California are prohibited from requiring that a percentage of units in rental developments be affordable. A bill by Assemblyman Richard Bloom would restore inclusionary zoning for rentals.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie