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Imperial County Considers 51,000-Acre Plan to Accommodate Lithium Extraction
Imperial County officials have introduced the Draft Lithium Valley Specific Plan (LVSP), which aims to establish a globally unique, vertically integrated lithium and clean energy ecosystem. Covering 51,000 acres near the Salton Sea, the plan designates areas for green industry, manufacturing, logistics, conservation and renewable energy, with input from various stakeholders. Lithium Valley seeks to position Imperial County as a leader in lithium production, hoping to foster economic growth, job creation and infrastructure development while addressing environmental concerns. Despite lithium’s declining global price, the LVSP highlights workforce development through partnerships with educational institutions and industry leaders in the hopes of creating long-term career opportunities. Supported by state legislation like SB 125, the plan aims to transform the region into a renewable energy hub while balancing sustainability and economic progress.

Los Angeles Citywide Rezoning Draws Lawsuit from Housing Advocates
Two housing advocacy groups, YIMBY Law and Californians for Homeownership, are suing the City of Los Angeles, arguing the city’s recent housing plan fails to meet state requirements. The lawsuit contends that while the city pledged to rezone neighborhoods to allow for more housing, it instead relied on incentive programs like CHIP, which do not guarantee the necessary number of units. With thousands of homes lost to recent wildfires, the plaintiffs stress that increasing housing capacity is more urgent than ever. City officials maintain that their plan complies with state law and will significantly expand housing options, while state regulators are reviewing its adequacy. The lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions between housing advocates and local governments over California’s housing crisis and the enforcement of state housing mandates.

Special: Wildfire Updates

Los Angeles Considers "Self-Certification" to Speed Permitting
In response to the recent wildfires, Los Angeles officials are exploring ways to streamline the permitting process, including a proposed "self-certification" program allowing architects and engineers to approve their own projects. The City Council has requested a report on the proposal, while Mayor Karen Bass has already accelerated post-fire permit approvals, creating a one-stop regulatory center for rebuilding efforts. Supporters argue that reducing red tape will speed up construction, while critics warn of potential safety risks, especially in areas prone to wildfires and earthquakes. Other cities, like Bellflower and Phoenix, have implemented similar programs with limited adoption and oversight mechanisms, but California has traditionally been more cautious. The debate highlights broader concerns about balancing speed, safety and efficiency in a city facing both a housing crisis and urgent rebuilding needs.

New Classification System Expands Fire Risk Zones across California
New state maps classify over 2.3 million acres in California as being at high or very high risk for wildfires, reflecting worsening fire conditions and updated scientific data. Governor Newsom's recent executive order has prompted the gradual release of these maps, which replace older versions from 2007 to 2011 and introduce a new classification system for local jurisdictions. The updated designations significantly expand high-risk areas, with some counties seeing hazard zones increase from a few hundred acres to several thousand. These changes will require stricter fire safety standards for buildings and the implementation of ember-resistant zones to prevent fire spread. With wildfires already more frequent and severe this year, officials warn that 2025 may bring even greater challenges, underscoring the need for heightened preparedness.

Study Predicts Rising Home Prices in Wake of Fires
A UCLA Lewis Center study examined the impact of the Palisades and Eaton Fires on housing markets in Los Angeles—drawing insights from past wildfire events like the 2018 Camp Fire—and found that major wildfires tend to increase housing prices in surrounding areas due to reduced supply, but over time, prices often stabilize. However, unlike past fires that displaced lower-income residents, these Los Angeles fires affected wealthier communities, potentially amplifying market disruptions. The study also notes that Los Angeles’ severe housing shortage may intensify rent and price hikes, though the city's larger housing stock could mitigate long-term effects. Additionally, awareness of wildfire risks may lower home values in high-risk areas, shifting demand toward urban centers. The report recommends policy interventions to streamline rebuilding while promoting denser, more affordable housing in safer locations.

Fire Hazard Maps May Have Fallen Short
According to analysis by the Los Angeles Times, Cal Fire's hazard maps failed to predict the severity of a recent wildfire in Altadena, predicting that only 21% of structures burned were categorized within "very high" fire hazard severity zones. According to more sophisticated models, 95% of properties within the Eaton fire line had "severe" or "extreme" wildfire risk. The maps, designed to assess fire risks across California, did not identify Altadena as a high-risk area, leading to questions about their accuracy and effectiveness. Residents and experts are now calling for reevaluating these assessments to better reflect current fire dangers, especially in light of changing climate conditions. This incident underscores the need for updated methodologies in predicting wildfire risks to ensure communities are adequately prepared.

Quick Hits & Updates

Los Angeles real estate developer Rick Caruso is using CEQA to challenge the approval of the $1 billion Television City project. His company, The Grove LLC, filed a lawsuit alleging the project’s environmental review was inadequate and that it will worsen traffic and pedestrian safety, seeking to halt construction altogether. This is one of four lawsuits against the project, with critics arguing it could delay much-needed investment in Hollywood’s film industry.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have caused an estimated $250 billion in economic losses, making them one of the most costly disasters in U.S. history. While reconstruction efforts will create opportunities for industries such as construction and real estate, sectors like tourism, small businesses and Hollywood production face severe disruptions. The rebuilding process, expected to cost around $1 million per home, has sparked debates over fire-resistant building regulations and the future of development in high-risk areas.

Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates is leaving his position to join the U.S. Department of Justice as a Deputy Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division. Despite his departure, Gates affirmed that the city will continue its legal battles against the state, including those related to housing laws and sanctuary policies, which have largely been ruled against in court so far. Gates frequently chased with the state, asserting that the city was exempt from many housing laws. Huntington Beach is known for its support for Pres. Donald Trump.

The John Muir Land Trust has acquired Point Buckler Island in San Francisco Bay for $3.8 million, concluding a contentious legal battle over the 50-acre property. The auction, mandated by the county, faced confusion when the starting bid was set at the final sale price, leading to delays and the arrest of the previous owner and his wife on contempt charges after they argued that the sale was a government land grab, while the trust contends it is reversing environmental damage caused by his unauthorized levee and construction projects.

The Trump administration has suspended funding for key environmental projects in the Los Angeles area, including wildfire prevention and hazardous waste cleanup efforts. This freeze has led to halted projects and layoffs, raising concerns about increased wildfire risks and delayed environmental remediation.

Nearly a year after Los Angeles voters approved Measure HLA to implement the city's Mobility Plan 2035, city departments have made minimal progress, upgrading only three streets while delaying broader improvements. The Dept. of City Planning has now released a draft document outlining minimum standards for various transit, pedestrian and bike networks, but concerns remain over vague exceptions that could allow officials to bypass certain required upgrades, particularly bus lanes.

The San Francisco Bay Area remains the most expensive region in the U.S., with the cost of living about 18% above the national average in 2023, though its relative cost has decreased since 2018 according to a new report. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles metro area's cost of living has been steadily rising to right behind San Francisco, reaching nearly 16% above the national average, driven largely by high housing costs.

Auburn city leaders are considering expanding the city limits by annexing four potential areas—Lincoln Way North, Bowman, Highway 49 and Auburn Central West—as part of their general plan update. While annexation would require a separate approval process, including agreements on tax revenue distribution, the city is seeking community input through workshops in March.

A recent SPUR report examined California’s fragmented housing governance system, arguing that its complexity impedes the production of sufficient housing, particularly in the Bay Area. It proposes 11 recommendations to streamline governance at the state, regional and local levels, including creating a state housing agency, aligning funding with regional plans and simplifying housing approval processes. The report emphasizes the need for state-led reforms to coordinate efforts across different levels of government and ensure more efficient housing development.

West Covina has introduced a free on-demand microtransit service called Go West Covina, aimed at expanding transit access and providing connections to Metrolink stations in Baldwin Park and Covina. The service operates via an app, offering corner-to-corner rides and is designed to complement existing shuttle services, with special accommodations for mobility-impaired riders.

Los Angeles officials acknowledged that expanding the Convention Center by May 2028, in time for the Olympic Games, is no longer feasible due to the massive rebuilding effort required after the January Palisades fire. The fire caused $350 million in damages to city infrastructure, requiring attention from agencies involved in the expansion. Despite previous plans for a $1.4 billion expansion, including new exhibit and meeting spaces, the city is now considering a pause or reevaluation of the project.

San Jose State University plans to renovate its main and south campuses to accommodate 8,000 more students, including 2,100 additional housing beds. The project involves demolishing over 1 million square feet of existing facilities and expanding academic spaces to meet growing demand for education and housing.

San Francisco Muni is facing budget challenges, primarily due to declining parking revenue, and is considering service cuts to address a $50 million deficit. However, officials are exploring alternative funding options, such as tapping into the agency's reserve fund, re-evaluating contracts and increasing parking enforcement to meet the budget goals while avoiding public backlash against service reductions.