A bill moving through the California Legislature, SB 734, would extend the reach of legislation from 2011 that benefitted the defunct Farmers Field football stadium in downtown Los Angeles.
"Two Hollywood mega-projects could mark the Los Angeles skyline years sooner than planned if state lawmakers pass a bill intending to cut down on lawsuits against large developments in California," reports Liam Dillon.
"Under the bill, both projects — a $1-billion redevelopment of the Crossroads of the World complex and a $200-million hotel and residential development at the corner of Yucca Street and Argyle Avenue — would receive a new defense against potential lengthy litigation under the state’s main environmental law governing development," adds Dillon.
Though SB 734 would assist these two developments and others already underway in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the bill's reach is potentially much broader. It would expedite litigation through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for "any project in California that costs more than $100 million to build, provides for higher wages for construction workers and meets strict targets for greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy."
FULL STORY: Hollywood skyscrapers are in line for environmental fast-tracking
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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.
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The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
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The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
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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.
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