California

A Peek at the Future Downtown San Diego Without a New Charger Stadium
With two November ballot initiatives proposing to rezone a large part of downtown San Diego for a combined NFL stadium and convention facility, the community and a team of architects worked furiously to complete a more urban vision for the site.

Opposition to Bay Area Housing Exposed
A 660-acre Bay Area brownfield served by commuter and light rail is the latest battleground between suburban communities intent on preserving open space and quality of life and meeting the Bay Area's unmet housing demand.

Opposition to Pedestrian-Only Street Proposal Surfaces in San Francisco
The same political force that helped bring the Central Subway in San Francisco is now opposing a proposal that grew in the project's wake—turning Stockton Street into a permanent pedestrian space.

Changes to Los Angeles' Small Lot Ordinance on the Way
Responding to criticism from neighborhoods faced with new small lot developments, the city of Los Angeles in considering changes to its Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance.

Traffic Safety Advocates Taking Action Into Their Own Hands
The San Francisco Transformation Agency is tired of watching cyclists and pedestrians die while the city promises more Vision Zero improvements.

Supervisor Calls for Halt to Construction in San Francisco's Mission District
The ghosts of the Mission Moratorium have returned to San Francisco, after a local supervisor has called for a halt to three projects while the city crafts legislation to regulate development in the neighborhood.

Will California's Road Charge Fix California's Transportation Funding Shortfall?
California began the Road Charge Pilot Program on July 1 to see how participants would respond to being charged by the mile driven rather than by gallons of fuel consumed. Participants may now have received their first 'mock' invoices.

A New Plan for Trees in the 'City of Trees'
The city of Sacramento, California, known as the City of Trees, is nearing the finish line on a heavily debated ordinance to create new regulations for the management of trees.

Opinion: What It Will Take to Fix Los Angeles Metro
If Los Angeles residents approve the $120 billion sales tax measure in November, focusing on walkable communities and offering fast, frequent transit service will be critical to its success.

Future of California's Climate Agenda in Peril
Legislation to reauthorize the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 is in peril due to 'a powerful bloc of business-friendly Democrats' who are uneasy about its impact on businesses, particularly Big Oil, due to higher energy costs.

Twisting the Truth: The NIMBY Opposition to Second Units in L.A.
An op-ed by Daniel Freedman explains how a legal spat over an 850-square-foot "granny flat" affected hundreds of units around Los Angeles. The city's attempt to rectify the problems with its second unit ordinance has encountered more resistance.

Proposed California Law Could Fast Track CEQA Litigation for Large Developments
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.

Los Angeles' Chief Technology Officer Helped to Connect City on Transit and Transparency
Chief Innovative Technology Officer of Los Angeles, Peter Marx, recently stepped down. But first, he offers some lessons learned during his tenure, which included an L.A. mobility app and a successful open data initiative.

A Survey of Worldwide Water Scarcity
The Guardian sets out on a global trek to find the most water-stresses cities in the world.

A Paradigm Shift for Affordable Housing: Preserve What's Left
A Los Angeles affordable-housing developer says the industry needs to focus more on keeping existing housing affordable.

California's Plan For Zero Emissions Now Includes Bike Share
Funding from California's Environmental Protection Agency to put zero-emissions car sharing programs into disadvantaged communities met with strong interest last year. Now the agency is expanding the program, with the opportunity for bike shares.

'Biological Assessment' Released for Big California Tunnels Project
The plans for one of California's most expensive, and controversial, projects are moving forward as the clock ticks on the Obama Administration's time in power.

Many Cities Now Facing the Challenges of Prosperity
It might be possible for San Francisco residents to feel like the challenges of homelessness, gentrification, and a tech boom, all colliding at once, are unique to their city. Other cities—Denver for example—are facing the same challenges.
One of San Francisco's Toniest High Rises Has a Sinking Feeling
Home to some of the city's most famous athletes and industry chiefs, the Millennium Tower could soon be home to a protracted and expensive legal battle.
Vanpooling the Green Way
Vanpooling in a gasoline powered vehicle is heavily polluting, according to Green Commuter, a new car share and vanpooling service that rents all-electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model X.
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