Streamlining

View of street in Pasadena, California with church at left and city hall in background

Quantifying the Potential of California’s ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Bill

A new report estimates that 171,000 acres of land would be available for housing development if California approves SB 4, Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023.

August 31, 2023 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Wireless Internet

Federal Bill Would Preempt Local Authority on Telecommunications Siting

A congressional committee advanced a bill recently that would streamline telecommunications infrastructure investments by preempting local control of siting decisions.

June 12, 2023 - National League Of Cities

A sunny day in San Francisco, with a view of the city skyline with the Easy Bay Hills in the background.

Development Streamlining Proposal Dies in San Francisco

The doomed effort was Mayor London Breed's third attempt to streamline development in the city.

January 31, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Riverside, California

Evaluating the Results of New Protections for Affordable Housing Development

California's Senate Bill 35 is touted by affordable housing advocates and other pro-development forces as an example of what good developments can happen when local obstructions are moved out of the way by the state.

November 26, 2019 - The Mercury News

California

Cheaper, Easier Affordable Housing Development Proposed in San Francisco

San Francisco Mayor London Breed is proposing major reforms of the permitting process for affordable housing and accessory dwelling unit projects in the city. The idea is that cheaper projects are much easier to build.

February 12, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Housing Construction

California's Housing Package, One Year Later

It's too early to gauge the long-term effects of California's housing package signed a year ago. But with a $4 billion bond on the ballot this November, some facts (and some dramas) have already made themselves known.

October 6, 2018 - CALmatters

Silicon Valley

Most California Cities Now Subject to State-Mandated Development Streamlining

Given that 97 percent of California cities aren't meeting their housing targets, SB 35, last year's landmark "by-right" housing bill, now applies to projects that contain varying amounts of affordable units.

February 6, 2018 - East Bay Times

New California Housing Laws Not Well Received Locally

City council members of Burlingame, a small, affluent suburb south of San Francisco, are not happy with new laws that take away their discretion to reject developments that fail to meet "neighborhood character" criteria, but meet zoning requirements.

December 8, 2017 - The Daily Journal

San Francisco Density

San Francisco Mayor Calls for Quicker Approvals for New Housing

San Francisco Mayor, Ed Lee, released his directive saying the city should be approving the building or renovating of 5,000 units a year.

October 20, 2017 - San Francisco Business Journal

Durham, North Carolina

Durham, NC, Reorganizes to Streamline Development Review

Durham, North Carolina, joins the ranks of local government agencies who have shifted to an integrated development services model focused on customer service.

May 11, 2017 - North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association

Despite Recent Progress, L.A. Leaders Clamor for More Permitting Reform

Efforts to reform L.A.'s permitting process are proceeding slower than many had hoped, reports Ryan Vaillancourt, and city leaders are looking to make more drastic changes. Could the city's planning department be consolidated as part of the effort?

March 6, 2013 - Los Angeles Downtown News

Seattle Relaxes Development Standards to Spur Growth

A mixed bag of land-use changes, including relaxed parking standards and an increased threshold for environmental review, were passed by the Seattle City Council this week. Critics complain the legislation favors developers over residents.

July 26, 2012 - The Seattle Times

Effort to Streamline Development Process Underway in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are trying to streamline the process of getting projects permitted and approved -- an effort that could rapidly increase the amount of time it takes to develop in the city.

November 23, 2010 - LA Downtown News

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