California

Vote to Take Money from Train Station to Pay for a New Road Causes a Stir
An expanded roadway outside the Union City BART station would mean more drivers and likely more congestion. City and county officials still argue those changes are necessary for the area around the station to function.

A Dissenting Take on the Bay Area's Proposed $3 Bridge Toll Hike
Beware of transportation officials promising traffic reductions, according to this opinion piece.
New Report Examines the Bay Area's Broken Housing Market
The twin challenges of a housing shortage and low wage increases threaten the growth of the San Francisco Bay Area, according to a new report.
Legislation Would Ensure California Housing Construction Keeps Pace with Population Growth
A companion bill to the controversial SB 827, also introduced Sen. Scott Wiener (D-S.F)., could have a similar impact on housing production but hasn't gathered nearly as much attention. SB 828 makes critical changes to the state's housing supply law.

Friday Eye Candy: Watch Yosemite's Streams Overflow
Mandatory evacuations were in order, so there was no threat to the general pubic. Witness the fury of mother nature from a safe distance.

How Surveillance in Cities is Evolving
Across the globe, smart cities are increasingly procuring and implementing information technology in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban spaces. The former CTO of L.A. and the mayor of Beverly Hills weigh in on the subject.

San Francisco Schools Teach Bike-Riding in P.E.
Bike safety could become part of the second-grade curriculum districtwide.

Squaring Urbanism, Equity, and Density in the SB 827 Debate
As Sen. Wiener has announced new amendments to the controversial land use, transit-oriented development, and real estate bill, The Planning Report turns to three experts to unpack the legislation's consequences.

Stream Restoration Projects More Likely in Whiter, Wealthier Areas
Stream restoration projects along the Central Coast of California tend to reinforce class and racial distinctions, just like so many other matters of environmental justice.

California Bill Seeks to Facilitate 'Missing Middle' Housing
Affordable housing developers are increasingly asked to build middle-income units, but can't afford to do so.
The Dilemma of Autonomous Vehicle Testing
Autonomous vehicles hold the potential to greatly reduce auto crashes. Advocates want them on the road as early as possible to reduce fatalities. Skeptics worry that the public will be guinea pigs during the testing—case in point: Elaine Herzberg.

Rebuilt Oroville Spillway Could Get its First Test This Weekend
The quickly repaired Oroville Dam spillway is hoping for better performance this year, after a year of intense repair work.

S.F.'s Central SoMa Plan Would Add 40,000 Jobs, 7,000 Housing Units
YIMBYs are describing the jobs-housing imbalance represented in the Central SoMa Plan as reminiscent of the housing policies of cities farther down the Peninsula.

San Francisco to Grant Low-Cost Housing Preference to Artists
A new program underway at the San Francisco Arts Commission would make it easier for artists to gain access to the city's stock of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.

Decision Deadline Coming Fast for San Jose BART Extension
BART and VTA officials must come to an agreement about whether to use a single- or double-bore tunnel for transit extension in San Jose, and time is running out.

BART Has Had Enough of Dockless Bikes
With piles of them strewn around stations, the transit agency is "cracking down" on bikeshare companies.

Rollback of Fuel Efficiency Standards Announced by EPA
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced Monday that his agency is siding with auto manufacturers and relaxing greenhouse gas emission standards for new cars and light trucks.

Popularity of Express Lanes Spreads Beyond Virginia
Dan Vock of Governing takes a broad look at congestion pricing, beginning with the success of Virginia's 66 Express Lanes, the ones where tolls initially topped $40. Notwithstanding complaints, managed lanes are spreading, but challenges remain.

Police Officer Issues a Ticket to a Self-Driving Car
In San Francisco this week, a city police officer issued a ticket to an autonomous GM Cruise vehicle for failure to yield to a pedestrian. Specifically, the self-driving vehicle got too close to a person walking in a crosswalk.

Op-Ed: Infrastructure Projects Need More Women in Leadership Roles
Calling attention to progress in the Bay Area, two leaders at employee- and women-owned firms argue that more female leadership will help projects better serve the entire population.
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