A group that coined the term, "stack and pack" to deride density and its role in reducing carbon emissions lost in court when the judge rejected their argument that only technological improvements in cars and fuels were necessary to reduce emissions.
The lawsuit was one of four challenging Plan Bay Area, the regional plan approved by the Association of Bay Area Counties (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) last July to meet the requirements of the landmark climate change law of 2008, SB 375, that aims to reduce carbon emissions through improved land use and transportation investments.
"Bay Area Citizens, represented by the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), filed the suit in August [posted here.] The group argued the plan was unneeded because California laws reducing the carbon content of fuels and requiring cars and trucks to get better gas mileage would lower greenhouse gas emissions," writes Bob Egelko of the San Francisco Chronicle.
But Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo said Wednesday (July 2) that a 2007 [sic] state law required the agencies to develop a plan that would meet greenhouse gas-reduction targets on its own, without considering the impact of the fuel laws.
In a PLF Liberty Blog, the attorney who argued the case, Jonathan Wood, wrote, "The Citizens oppose the Plan because it’s unnecessary to achieve the environmental goals of S.B. 375 and will likely end up forcing people to live in dense “stack and pack” housing, denying them the American dream of the single family home."
Grillo agreed with the arguments made by ABAG and MTC "that failing to adopt a regional housing and transit plan, as Bay Area Citizens proposed, 'would result in less residential and employment density, which would result in less transit ridership, greater vehicle delay generally, and greater congested vehicle miles per capita.'"
As a result, he said, the agencies found they would be unable to meet emissions-reduction goals set by the state Air Resources Board.
As we previously noted, environmentalists settled their Plan Bay Area lawsuit in June; the Building Industry Association of the Bay Area dropped its lawsuit in March, leaving only Post Sustainability Institute's lawsuit challenging Plan Bay Area, plus the appeal that Bay Area Citizens will file, according to Wood.
FULL STORY: Judge rejects challenge to Bay Area land-use, transit plan
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service