Opponents to a new university housing project cited a recent Berkeley case in which noise pollution was successfully used to deny an exemption from environmental review.
An appellate court in Southern California used a legal precedent set in Berkeley to deny a request for an exemption from environmental review for a proposed housing project near the University of Southern California in downtown Los Angeles, reports Matt Brown in The Daily Californian. The new ruling “is focused on a proposed rooftop deck, which appellants worry will generate too much noise.” In Berkeley, opponents of a new student housing development relied on potential noise to gain a legal victory over the university in a contentious battle, forcing the university to deny admissions to thousands of potential students.
The city of Los Angeles originally granted the exemption for the infill project, which is proposed for a 2.8-acre lot less than a mile from the USC campus housing a building previously used by the university as offices. “The city intended to demolish the existing site and parking lot to make way for a seven-building residential apartment complex. Six of the buildings were planned to be four stories with a combined 100 five-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom apartments, and the seventh building was planned to be a four-story clubhouse with a variety of amenities for residents.”
More on the Berkeley story:
- Lessons From People’s Park
- UC Berkeley Commits to Supportive Housing Project in People's Park
- A Fight For the Future of People's Park
Correction: This article originally indicated that the project is a USC housing project and that lot in question is owned by the university. This is incorrect—USC previously used a building on the lot as offices, but is not involved with the proposed housing project.
FULL STORY: Noise pollution precedent set by People’s Park case blocks housing in LA
U.C. Berkeley To Reduce Enrollment by Thousands, Court Decides
The California Supreme Court ruled against the university in a battle over a proposed enrollment cap, forcing the school to reject thousands of potential new students.
State Bill Seeks CEQA Exemption for California Universities
A bill introduced in the California legislature would allow public universities to bypass environmental review regulations for student housing projects.
New California Law Alters CEQA in Favor of Student Housing
Following a heated legal battle over new student housing in Berkeley, Governor Newsom signed a new law removing ‘social noise’ as an environmental impact.
Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.
Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?
Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing
A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.
Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads
If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.
Minneapolis Affordable Housing Project Largest in 20 Years
The city opened its first large multifamily affordable housing complex in decades, but a recent court ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 rezoning plan could jeopardize future projects.
NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums
Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.
Urban3
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
National Capital Planning Commission
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.
