After hours of public comment, the zoning reform package aimed at increasing housing production and limiting red tape was delayed for further discussion.
A proposed Constraints Reduction Ordinance in San Francisco stalled in the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the city’s Board of Supervisors, reports Annie Gaus in SF Standard.
“The ordinance is an attempt at implementing the city’s Housing Element, a document laying out how San Francisco plans to meet a state mandate to accommodate 82,000 new housing units by 2030. But a Monday hearing at the board’s Land Use and Transportation Committee highlighted the political difficulties in diminishing local control, along with the potential perils of failing to execute the mandate,” Gaus explains.
Some housing advocates like the San Francisco Tenants Union expressed concerns about the ordinance leading to a loss of rent-controlled units and affordable housing. Gaus notes that “The current ordinance includes demolition controls in certain sensitive areas defined as “priority equity geographies,” according to a Planning Department presentation.” Elsewhere, developers would not be allowed to remove more than two rent-controlled units.
In response to community feedback, “The Mayor’s Office also suggested amendments that include language around the city’s affordable housing needs and conditional use permits for large developments in priority equity zones.” Gaus adds that housing projects in San Francisco face the longest timeline for approvals in California, with projects waiting a median 450 days.
FULL STORY: San Francisco Housing Bill Stalled After Vehement Pushback
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Milwaukee Considers Zoning Reform
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Church Housing Movement Takes Hold in Virginia
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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
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
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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.
Mexico City Anti-Gentrification Plan Aims to Half Housing Deficit
The plan comes in response to protests that targeted ‘digital nomads’ who locals blame for driving up housing costs.
Chicago Has Quietly Built Hundreds of Neighborhood Traffic Circles
Thanks largely to one alderperson’s efforts, the city has made mini-roundabouts a key piece of its road safety strategy.
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