California

Los Angeles Planners Have Had It Up to Here With Parking Podiums
Above-grade parking garages, also called parking podiums, have become a standard typology across Los Angeles. From Koreatown to Downtown, new residential buildings are separated from the street by several floors of space devoted to parking.
Study: Local Roads in California 'At Risk' Due to Lack of Funding
A coalition of local governmental agencies and advocates released their 2016 report on the condition of local streets and roads in California, and they found dire underinvestment. The legislature has yet to convene a special session on funding.

Behind the Popularity of Transportation Tax Increases
Transportation ballot measures are popular this November: over 70 populate ballots across the country. In California and elsewhere, they supplement declining federal and state funds for local infrastructure.

The Critical Role of Down-Ballot Races in State Transportation Funding
The overwhelming majority of states that increased gas taxes last year were Republican-controlled. In states where the legislature is split, it's more difficult to approve transportation funding legislation. Down-ballot races may prove decisive.

Surprisingly Few People Make a Lot of Airport Noise Complaints
A new study has found that just a handful of people are responsible for the majority of noise complaints directed toward airports.

A Toolkit for Solving California's Housing Crisis
The McKinsey Global Institute wants to help California build 3.5 million homes by 2025.
Ground-Breaking Rent Control Project Proposed in San Francisco
California law and a local ordinance prevent new apartment buildings from falling under rent control. But that need not prevent a developer from requesting it, as a developer in San Francisco's Excelsior District has done.

Why San Diego's Proposed Transportation Sales Tax Is Opposed by a Diverse Coalition
Many cities and counties across the state are proposing transportation sales tax increases, but only San Diego's is opposed by a diverse coalition of environmental and labor groups. Murtaza Baxamusa explains why.

Good Political News for California High-Speed Rail
One of the major critics of the $64 billion project that would link Los Angeles and San Francisco just became a supporter, and that's really good news considering the project's major booster, Gov. Jerry Brown, will be leaving office in two years.

Los Angeles Hires New 'Homelessness Coordinator'
The new position will keep the city on track in its comprehensive strategy to aid the nearly 40,000 homeless people in Los Angeles.
Bay Area Bike Share Renamed for New Sponsor: An Auto Company
The new, Detroit-based sponsor will help pay for a ten-fold expansion of the Bay Area's regional bike share program coming this spring and a new Palo Alto program. Low income residents will be offered discounted rates to join Bay Area Bike Share.

Reality Check: The Los Angeles River Can Still Flood
Sometimes it seems like it will never rain again in Los Angeles, but the river running through the city is still a significant flood risk.

Los Angeles County: It's Time to Update the Master Plan for the L.A. River
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to begin the processing of updating the 20-year-old Los Angeles River Master Plan.

Bay Area to Create Regional Plan for Sea-Level Rise
California wants the region to work together to deal with the impacts of climate change.

Gov. Jerry Brown Condemns State School Bond Measure for Promoting Sprawl
Ten newspapers have joined California Gov. Jerry Brown in opposing Proposition 51, a $9 billion bond ballot measure endorsed by both Democrats, including the lieutenant governor, and Republicans.
Replicas of Mid-Century Towns Built to Aid the Memories of Alzheimer's Patients
The Glenner Town Square development in Chula Vista, California will be one of the first "immersive facilities" in the United States, designed to trigger memories for Alzheimer's patients.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors Propose 60-Day Hard Cap on Airbnb Rentals
Tensions between Airbnb and the city of San Francisco continue to mount as the city propose further restrictions on the service, even while the current restrictions are being challenged in court.

Why the Disconnect on Climate Change and Urban Density?
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is also a committed climate change activist. His documentary on the topic airs Oct. 30 on the National Geographic channel. At the U.N., he asked leaders to take bold action. Yet, as an Angeleno, he opposes increased density.

San Diego Mayor Supports New Football Stadium
San Diego mayor, Kevin Faulconer, calls for voters to support $1.8 billion new football stadium.

San Francisco's Anti-Homeless Camping Proposition Has Tech Billionaires' Backing
San Francisco's Proposition Q, up for vote this November, would place additional limits on homeless camping in the city.
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