Amid political demagoguery, a bill to help spur infill redevelopment and the creation of affordable housing in California, following the dismantling the state's redevelopment agencies, is advancing through the California legislature.
Frying Pan News follows along with affordable housing advocates as they press the case for passage of SB1 (Steinberg), "a bill that would create a Sustainable Communities Investment Authority in areas near transit hubs," writes Danny Feingold. "Their efforts were rewarded when the Assembly’s Local Government Committee approved the bill with a 6-3 vote, allowing it to move to the Appropriations Committed next week. If the bill gets the green light there and on the Assembly floor, it will go to Governor Brown."
"SB1 would fill the gap left by the dismantling of California’s Community Redevelopment Agencies in 2012," he adds. "And for people like [college student and community activist Jason] López, the legislation can’t come too soon."
Writing in the Los Angeles Times' PolitiCal blog, Patrick McGreevy provides an alternative perspective. "Denounced by one property owner as a 'communist land grab,' a bill is advancing in the California Legislature that would allow local governments to spend tax money to seize land from residents and provide it at a discount to private developers," he writes.
"The establishment of the areas would allow local officials to use money from the growth in property tax revenue, bonded indebtedness and powers of eminent domain to take properties from some and give them to others for economic development. Unlike the old redevelopment areas, government officials would not have to show that an area is blighted to be targeted."
FULL STORY: Capitol Steps: CA Moves One Step Closer to Funding Affordable Housing
LA Parking Reform is Bearing Fruit
Changes to minimum parking requirements near transit lines are spurring more residential development with little or no on-site parking.
How Federal Policy Can Encourage TOD
Tying transit and land acquisition funding together could help produce more housing near transit hubs.
Feds Award $13 Million for Transit Oriented Development
The Federal Transit Administration selected 19 projects aimed at boosting development, affordable housing, and connectivity to transit.
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