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Newsom Suspends Some Permitting Processes for Wildfire Rebuilding
Governor Newsom signed an executive order to expedite the rebuilding process for communities impacted by recent wildfires in Southern California. The order suspends certain permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act to speed up the reconstruction of homes and businesses. Additionally, state agencies have been directed to identify other building code provisions that could be safely streamlined to reduce costs and accelerate recovery. The order also extends protections against price gouging for construction materials and services in Los Angeles County until January 2026. Finally, Newsom committed to collaborating with the Legislature to find further ways to enhance wildfire resilience and expedite the rebuilding process. (See related CP&DR coverage.)
Los Angeles Plans for 100,000 New Homes and Jobs Downtown
The Los Angeles City Council adopted the Downtown Community Plan Update (DTLA 2040), a comprehensive effort to guide development and address key issues like the housing crisis and racial segregation. The plan focuses on creating 100,000 new homes and 100,000 jobs by 2040, leveraging Downtown's transit-rich areas to support sustainable growth and equitable development. It introduces a new zoning code designed to modernize building design and usage regulations, making it more flexible and responsive to the city's diverse communities. The plan garnered strong support from community groups, including those advocating for affordable housing in areas like Skid Row and Chinatown, and it emphasizes the importance of preserving historic resources while fostering economic growth. DTLA 2040 is the first community plan in Los Angeles to implement the city's recently updated zoning code, which will eventually be applied citywide to promote inclusivity and combat the housing and climate crises.
Sacramento County Adopts Climate Action Plan
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved the Community Development Department’s Planning and Environmental Review Division's revised 2024 Draft Communitywide Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP outlines strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to climate change, aiming to meet California's 2030 and 2045 GHG reduction goals. It also aligns with the Sacramento County General Plan and integrates environmental, economic and community priorities. The Final CAP, along with the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), will be presented to the Board of Supervisors, with a hearing tentatively scheduled for November 6, 2024. Interested individuals can subscribe for updates on the hearing date and additional developments regarding the plan.
Berkeley Experiments with "Amnesty" for Unpermitted ADUs
Berkeley has launched a four-year pilot program aimed at legalizing unpermitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which homeowners often avoid renting due to concerns about liability and city penalties. The program offers a pathway for homeowners to have their ADUs inspected and legalized without facing fines, providing a certificate of occupancy or a simpler certificate of compliance. The program is designed to address the city's housing crisis by allowing these affordable units, often created from basements or garages, to be legalized while ensuring safety and code compliance. It is part of a broader effort in California to increase the number of ADUs, which are seen as a cost-effective solution to the housing shortage. With thousands of unpermitted units in Berkeley alone, this initiative could add significant affordable housing while avoiding the high costs of new construction.
CP&DR Coverage: A Denser L.A. (Sort Of)
In a departure from the actions other major cities in California, the Los Angeles City Council voted on December 10 to approve a citywide upzoning designed to meet L.A.’s housing targets – but didn’t touch single-family zoning. L.A. has been at the forefront of the state’s more toward allowing more housing in recent years, especially in the construction of accessory dwelling units. Vince Bertoni, the city’s planning director, recently said Los Angeles has accounted for 80% of recent housing construction in Los Angeles County. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program, or CHIP, includes a “mixed-income incentive program,” which encourages mixed-income but “low scale/low rise” housing designed to create a transition along major corridors between high-rises and single-family neighborhoods, as well a 100% density bonus for restricted affordable housing in certain locations.
Quick Hits and Updates
The California State Auditor has removed the high-risk designation from Blythe, El Cerrito, Lynwood and San Gabriel after these cities addressed key deficiencies in their financial conditions and management practices. However, the cities of Lindsay, Montebellocha and West Covina retain their high-risk status due to ongoing concerns about their financial stability and management, with the State Auditor continuing to monitor their progress.
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie appointed Alicia John-Baptiste, former head of the urban policy think tank SPUR, as his policy chief, overseeing infrastructure, climate and transportation. John-Baptiste, who brings extensive experience from her leadership roles at SPUR and the SFMTA, will manage several key city agencies, including the SF Municipal Transportation Agency and Public Works, as part of Lurie’s plan to restructure the mayor’s office for greater accountability and efficiency. (See related CP&DR coverage.)
A legal battle between the California Coastal Commission and homeowners in Half Moon Bay could set a precedent for coastal property protections across the state, particularly regarding seawalls. The case centers on whether homes built after 1977 are eligible for seawalls, with environmental groups supporting the commission's interpretation, which could limit seawall construction, while property rights advocates argue for broader eligibility to protect homes from erosion.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an amicus brief supporting a proposed affordable housing project in Goleta, Santa Barbara County, after the city unlawfully rejected the application. The project would add 56 homes, including 13 affordable units for lower-income households, in a city facing a severe housing shortage. Bonta argues Goleta's refusal to process the application violated the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (Senate Bill 330) and the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), both of which are designed to streamline housing development and limit local resistance.
San Joaquin County will purchase the Oakmoore Golf Course property in Stockton for $9.6 million, considering it for use as a site for safe camping for the unhoused, along with potential future public works facilities. While some community members express concerns about increased crime or vandalism, supervisors believe the land could provide a controlled space for homeless individuals with necessary services.
The Biden administration has renewed waivers allowing California to enforce stricter emissions rules for lawn mowers, leaf blowers, refrigerated trucks and off-road vehicles, providing protection for the state's climate policies ahead of a potential shift under a Trump administration. These approvals are part of efforts to safeguard California's progressive regulations, with additional waivers still pending for rules on zero-emission trucks, ferries, tugboats and cars.
For the fifth consecutive year in 2024, California ranked last in the nation for net U-Haul move-ins, reflecting ongoing domestic out-migration amid high living costs, particularly in the Bay Area. In contrast, states like South Carolina, Texas and Florida saw significant population growth, with California's overall population growth driven by international immigration and natural increase rather than domestic migration.
Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) has filed a lawsuit against the Port of Oakland, claiming that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed terminal redevelopment at Oakland Airport fails to adequately address the potential harm to the predominantly Black and Latino East Oakland community, particularly in terms of air quality, noise pollution and traffic. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the project, highlighting concerns over increased nitrogen oxide emissions, health risks from noise pollution and the lack of sufficient environmental analysis.
A study by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation favors the San Vicente-Fairfax K Line extension, which would provide significant economic benefits, create over 123,000 jobs and generate $22.5 billion during construction, with completion expected in the 2040s. This route, which would connect to the Hollywood/Highland Station, is supported by local officials though concerns remain about the impacts on businesses during construction and the need for interim transportation solutions.
San Francisco voters recently passed Proposition K, which permanently closes the Upper Great Highway to cars and converts it into a full-time park, sparking a divisive debate between urbanists seeking more green spaces and residents worried about increased traffic in their neighborhoods. The controversy has led to a recall effort against Supervisor Joel Engardio, who supported the measure.
San Francisco's population declined by 0.13% between July 2023 and July 2024, continuing a trend of population loss since the pandemic, with a net loss of 5,336 residents due to domestic outmigration. While California overall saw population growth, particularly from international migration, San Francisco's shrinking population is contributing to challenges such as a reduced tax base, lower housing demand and a slower downtown recovery.
A recent report by StreetLight Data reveals that vehicle use and traffic congestion in many of the largest U.S. metros have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, indicating that efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are falling short. While VMT nationwide has increased by 12% since 2019, San Francisco has successfully reduced VMT per capita by 13%, possibly due to a shift toward remote work and effective state policies aimed at promoting more sustainable transportation options. The report highlights the importance of evaluating development projects based on their potential impact on VMT and emphasizes the need for improved infrastructure to encourage alternatives to car travel, particularly for short trips.
