The Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission released draft Plan Bay Area 2040. The plan is an updated long-range Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy for the nine-county Bay Area. The previous iteration was adopted in 2013 as a result of the California Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (Senate Bill 375). The result of two years of planning, Plan Bay Area 2040 continues a “no sprawl” vision with a focus on infill areas near transit for more walkable neighborhoods, and it attempts to identify transportation and land-use strategies that promote sustainability, equity, and economic vitality. According to the plan, 77 percent of new homes and 55 percent of new jobs are focused within Priority Development Areas, which are designated infill areas close to transit. Some critics contend that the plan will not do enough to make the region’s housing more affordable. There will be nine open houses, one in every county in the region. Additionally there will be three public hearings: San Jose May 16, Vallejo May 18, and San Francisco May 12. The comment period for all documents will close Thursday June 1. (See prior CP&DR coverage of second-generation SCS's.)
SCAG Adopts Regional Transportation Plan / SCS
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) adopted the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (2016 RTP/ SCS). The plan demonstrates how the region will reduce emissions from transportation sources to comply with Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) and meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act. The 2016 RTP/SCS is a Project List containing thousands of individual transportation projects that aim to improve the region’s mobility and air quality and revitalize the economy. Since the plan’s adoption, some of these projects have experienced technical changes that are time-sensitive.As a result, amendments to the 2016 RTP/SCS and the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) are needed in order to allow these projects to move forward in a timely manner. SCAG’s Transportation Committee approved the release of the Draft 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Amendment #2 and the Draft 2017 Federal Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #17-07. There will now be a 30-day public review and comment period ending May 8. Public hearings will be held in Los Angeles April 25 and will be accessible via videoconference from any of SCAG’s regional offices.
Appeals Court Upholds Cap-and-Trade Program
An appeals court has upheld California's cap-and-trade program, preserving what supporters say is a crucial source of funding for the state’s efforts to combat climate change. Two judges on the three-judge panel sided with state officials who argued the program is within its authority to regulate the industry through permits to release GHG emissions. The dissenting judge contended the cap-and-trade functioned as an unconstitutional tax. The suit was brought by business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, that contended that the program was an unfair burden on businesses. The decision could still be appealed to the California Supreme Court. Cap and trade funds contribute to land use programs such as the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant program.
Architecture Awards Recognize Nine California Projects
The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies have awarded over 79 buildings, commercial and institutional developments, landscape, architecture and urban planning projects form 43 nations for the American Architecture Awards for 2017. Nine projects in California were recognized. Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings, received an award for its innovative solutions, active and spectacular outdoor event plazas, creativity and innovation, and sustainable designs. Other California projects to win the award were the Colorado Esplanade in Santa Monica, Blu Dot Showroom in West Hollywood, In Situ in San Francisco, Petersen Automotive Museum in LA, The Main Museum of LA Art, Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco, Oasis: Silicon Valley Technology Center in Santa Clara, and Sea Song in Big Sur.
Lawsuit to Promote Housing In Lafayette Struck Down
A Contra Costa County Superior Court judge ruled against activists who filed a lawsuit against the City of Lafayette. The group, San Francisco Bay Area Renters Federation (SFBARF) alleged that Lafayette violated the state’s Housing Accountability Act by approving a smaller housing development rather than a larger apartment complex. Part of a larger movement to increase the region’s housing supply, the suit became known as “Sue the Suburbs.” The developer, O’Brien Homes, initially proposed 315 apartments but in the revised plans that were approved, included only 44 single-family homes, which would be more expensive. SFBARF argued the city pressured the developer to reduce the size of its project, to prevent potential renters from moving to Lafayette. The city says it has over 500 apartment units completed or in the pipeline, particularly downtown near BART and public transit.
Los Angeles to Revamp Civic Center into ‘Civic Innovation District'
The City of Los Angeles released a draft plan to convert the existing downtown Civic Center into a “Civic Innovation District” that would include mixed-use street-fronting retail, startup office space, pedestrian paths, public parks, and high-rise residential housing. In March, the City Council approved the new Civic Center Master Plan, based on a study from IBI Group, that will guide the redevelopment. The plan involves demolishing the historic but socially-problematic former LAPD headquarters from 1955, the modernist-style City Hall East building, and the Metropolitan Detention Center. The plan will be implemented in six phases, beginning with the demolition of the former police department headquarters. Existing City Hall South building will be replaced in 2019, in 2021 the 390-foot tall tower will go into the existing Los Angeles Mall, and between 2024-2027 includes the block containing the Parker Center replacement. The entire plan will be completed between 2030-2032. The plan requires one more vote by the city council for adoption.
Bay Area Polls Reveal Concerns about Housing, Transportation
The Bay Area Council Poll released a series of four polls related to quality of life and attitudes towards land use in the Bay Area March 30 - April 2. The first poll focused on Housing, Traffic & Cost of Living and found 46 percent of millennials are considering leaving the Bay Area. Of cost of living, traffic and housing, the first is the top problem with 55 percent, followed by traffic (41 percent) and housing (39 percent). The second poll was about transportation in the region and 70 percent said that the Bay Area needs a major regional investment in transportation, even if it means raising taxes. Even 83 percent of voters said they want traffic treated like an emergency. The third poll was about economic confidence and found 31 percent of voters thought the economy was doing better compared to the previous six months, with millennials feeling the most concerned. The last poll was about the Housing shortage and solutions and found that 70 percent of millennials support building denser while only 57 percent of those aged 40-64.
Lower Colorado, Bear River Make ‘Endangered Rivers’ List
The American Rivers group released its report of “America’s Most Endangered Rivers” and the Lower Colorado River and Bear River made the list. The Lower Colorado River provides drinking water for one in ten Americans, but is under major threat for water scarcity and demand. Over the past years, federal agencies and state water leaders have made progress towards conservation and programs that reduce overuse of the river. This success is threatened by the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget proposal which would cut programs like the Bureau of Reclamations’ System Conservation Program, the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and the Department of Interior’s WaterSMART program and Title XVI grants for municipal conservation and efficiency efforts. Bear River from the Sierra Nevadas flows 73 miles to the pastures and fields of the Central Valley. This river supports recreation, cultural use, rare habitat, and water for agriculture and municipal supplies in multiple cities and counties. This river is threatened by a proposed 275-foot tall Centennial Dam.
