Marin County, the wealthy county in the North Bay Area with a history of exclusionary land use and transportation practices, is using the shortage of water to justify blocking the development of an affordable housing project.
"Housing advocates and developers are warily watching California’s intensifying drought and what it may mean in a state that needs millions of new homes to house its residents," reports Emily C. Dooley.
According to Dooley, "the state’s twin issues of housing stock and water availability are colliding." New housing requires more water and puts stress on existing water supplies, which is especially true for the sprawling housing developments that have for decades been the most common form of new housing in the state. At a time when the state is empowering water regulators to divert water supplies, the state needs 120,000 new affordable homes every tear until 2030, according to an estimate by the California Housing Partnership.
Much of the article focuses on the potential consequences of the drought for affordable housing development in Marin County. According to Dooley, the Marin Municipal Water District is considering a moratorium on new water connections after stalling an affordable housing project in the name of water. The decision to stall the water permits for a 74-unit multifamily development approved by the county for low- and extremely low-income residents is also likely to set a precedent for a "healthy aging center" working its way through the permitting process.
Another city, Oakley, in Summit County, Utah, has also taken steps to block development out of concerns about the local water supply, but the Marin County example certainly sets the decision in a different development context. The article invokes the word NIMBY to describe the effect of the drought on housing politics in the state of California. "Housing is needed throughout the state. Where housing opponents usually cite traffic concerns, water concerns could become one more way to thwart development," according to Dooley.
The action by the Marin Municipal Water District to block the construction of affordable housing comes at the same time as governments around the state of California plan to meet the targets for planned housing development according to the mandates of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment process.
FULL STORY: Water and Housing Needs Collide in California’s Severe Drought
HUD Updates Fair Market Rate Definition
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced two actions last week intended to expand the reach of federal housing voucher programs.
Austin’s ‘Affordability Unlocked’ Initiative Faces Lawsuit
A group of 18 plaintiffs is suing to overturn the city of Austin’s “Affordability Unlocked” planning initiative.
Lack of Multi-Family Zones Contributes to Nashville’s High Housing Costs, Study Says
Nashville and surrounding communities allow for a relatively small amount of multi-family housing, according to a new zoning atlas of Middle Tennessee. A regionally focused nonprofit is using the atlas to push for zoning reforms.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)