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Suisun City Votes to Explore Annexation; California Forever May Bring Shipbuilding to Collinsville
The Suisun City Council voted 4-1 to explore annexation and expansion; the vote calls for the city to engage in discussions with landowners within its sphere of influence, including the proposed mega-development California Forever. Meanwhile, California Forever is considering the development of a major shipbuilding facility near Collinsville as part of its broader development plans in Solano County. The proposed shipyard aligns with a potential federal initiative to boost domestic shipbuilding but has sparked concerns about environmental impacts, economic viability, and encroachment on Travis Air Force Base. Collinsville, a sparsely populated and historically struggling community along the Sacramento River, has seen past development attempts fail, and some residents remain skeptical about California Forever’s intentions. While the area is zoned for maritime industrial use, opponents worry about losing agricultural land and disrupting the region’s character. Both Suisun City's expansion and California Forever’s shipbuilding proposal remain in early stages, requiring further negotiations, regulatory approvals and public engagement before moving forward. (See related CP&DR coverage.)

Trump Administration Hints at Rescinding Designation of New National Monuments
The Trump Administration caused confusion by initially suggesting, then seemingly retracting, a rollback of two newly designated national monuments in California, Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. The uncertainty arose from a White House fact sheet that briefly included, then removed, a reference to reversing national monument designations, sparking immediate backlash from conservationists, tribal leaders and local officials. Trumps Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, has previously ordered a review of public land protections, raising concerns that these monuments could face resource extraction pressures. While the legal authority to rescind monument designations remain unclear, any attempt to do so would likely face strong legal challenges from environmental and tribal groups. Advocates argue that the economic benefits of development do not justify the potential destruction of sacred tribal lands, wildlife habitats and popular recreation areas.

Audit Criticizes Los Angeles Homeless Services
A federal court-ordered audit found that Los Angeles’ homeless services system lacks financial oversight, transparency and accountability, making it vulnerable to waste and inefficiency. Conducted by an independent consulting firm, the audit revealed that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's contracts were vague, leading to inconsistent services and unclear spending records. The city was unable to track total expenditures on homelessness programs or verify whether paid-for services were actually provided. The audit was expanded to include LAPD homelessness-related activities and county services to city shelters, though enforcement of anti-camping laws was excluded. Attorneys for plaintiffs in a 2020 lawsuit against the city called the findings proof of systemic failure, with billions spent on ineffective programs while unhoused residents continue to suffer. The presiding judge demanded greater transparency, reinforcing the need for urgent reforms to ensure funding reaches those in need.

San Francisco Group Sues to Stop Voter-Approved Closure of Great Highway
Opponents of San Francisco's Proposition K, which closed the Upper Great Highway to cars and converts it into a park, plan to file a lawsuit challenging its validity. The plaintiffs argue that the city overstepped state authority by partially closing the road while still allowing certain vehicles, violating the California Vehicle Code. They also claim the city bypassed environmental review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The lawsuit targets the city, Board of Supervisors, and five officials who placed Prop. K on the ballot, alleging voters should not have decided on a matter of statewide concern. Supporters of the measure remain confident in the city’s legal defense and anticipate the park’s opening in April.

CP&DR Coverage: Trump Threatens Coastal Commission
Could Donald Trump really get rid of the Coastal Commission, as he has threatened to do? Realistically no, argues Bill Fulton. The Coastal Commission was created by the voters of California and, in a subsequent law, by the California Legislature. For the Coastal Commission to go away, the Legislature and Gov. Newsom would have to undo the Coastal Act. This is not going to happen. Even if it did, there’d probably be a legal battle over the underlying voter approval, and if it went back to a vote in the end, the Coastal Commission would probably survive. But, every lever the federal government’s got to undermine the commission’s authority – and California’s power – will be used.

Quick Hits & Updates

The Trump administration is considering closing or selling at least 16 federal buildings in California, including a major complex in downtown Los Angeles, as part of a broader effort to reduce government real estate costs. The General Services Administration (GSA) initially published a list of targeted properties but later removed it, causing uncertainty about the final plans.

A proposed redevelopment of the Guadalupe Quarry on San Bruno Mountain has sparked a debate between developers and environmentalists, with plans to build a 1.3-million-square-foot warehouse while designating some land for conservation. Supporters argue the project will create 1,500 jobs and address warehouse shortages, while critics warn it threatens endangered butterfly species and disrupts the mountain’s ecosystem. Environmental activists advocate for restoring the land rather than redeveloping it, continuing decades-long efforts to preserve the mountain.

San Diego is considering reforms to its historic preservation rules, including reducing the authority of the Historical Resources Board and limiting tax breaks for historic properties under the Mills Act. City officials argue that the current regulations deter development and need modernization, while preservation advocates contend the proposed changes lack thorough analysis and could undermine efforts to protect historic sites.

SB 601 would restore state-level protections for streams and wetlands in response to a Supreme Court ruling limiting federal Clean Water Act coverage. The bill aims to ensure that pollution discharges are regulated and that California's unique waterways, many of which are seasonal, remain protected.

Urban trees in central Los Angeles absorb significantly more carbon dioxide than previously thought, offsetting up to 60% of fossil fuel emissions during warmer months, according to a USC Dornsife study. While the research highlights the important role of urban greenery, it also underscores that trees alone cannot counteract emissions from cars, buildings and industry, reinforcing the need for broader clean energy and transit solutions to meet the city’s carbon neutrality goals.

The Pasadena City Council is set to adopt an ordinance amending the municipal code to streamline adaptive reuse of non-residential buildings into housing. Developers will benefit from density and floor area ratio incentives, including 15 additional feet for residential amenities like pools or fitness centers. Projects will require an average unit size of 450 square feet, with open space requirements that can include common areas. The ordinance eliminates new parking requirements for adaptive reuse projects and modifies review processes for shared parking and historic resources.

Waymo has launched a transit credit pilot program in Los Angeles, offering $3 ride credits for passengers connecting to one of eight eligible transit stations through its zero-emission ride-hailing service. Running until April 1, the initiative aims to promote multimodal travel and support sustainable transportation options, particularly for travelers heading to and from LAX. (See related CP&DR coverage.)

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District awarded $17 million in Measure A competitive grants to 13 recipients, marking the largest parkland expansion effort in the district's history. The grants will fund the creation and preservation of 623 acres of new green space, including projects for urban farms, pocket parks and larger conservation efforts.

In California, office-to-apartment conversions are increasing, with Los Angeles leading the state with 4,388 units set for transformation by 2025. This trend comes amid rising office vacancies, with Los Angeles being third nationally for office-to-apartment projects, reflecting an 80% increase from the previous year. Other cities like San Francisco are also streamlining the approval process and offering financial incentives to encourage these conversions.

SB 79 aims to expedite the construction of multi-family housing near transit stops by requiring upzoning in areas near train and bus lines, where many cities currently restrict housing. The bill seeks to reduce housing costs, encourage transit use and combat climate pollution by overcoming local zoning barriers that limit housing development around public transportation systems.

Sen. Laura Richardson introduced SB 611, which aims to revise the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process for community plans. This bill would reenact provisions allowing a development project to proceed without further CEQA review if it is consistent with an approved community plan, provided certain requirements are met as part of a legislative package aimed to improve public safety, education and environmental standards across the state.

Senators Blakespear and Stern have introduced SB 427, which would remove the July 1, 2030 sunset date for the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF). The HCF was established under Proposition 117(the California Wildlife Protection Act), a ballot measure championed by PCL and passed by voters in June 1990. Since then, the Fund has protected over 1.2 million acres of wildlife habitat and improved public access to more than 350 park projects across California.

A new bill, SB 222, would allow individuals to sue businesses for climate-related damages linked to fossil fuel products, retroactively applying to 1965. Critics argue it would lead to higher costs for consumers in areas like gas, electricity and housing, with households potentially losing up to $6,200 annually. The bill could deter investment and cause economic instability, while proponents argue it’s necessary for climate accountability.

After the U.S. Secretary of Transportation threatened to cut federal funding for California’s high-speed rail project, a new state bill to explore alternative funding options has been proposed. SB 545 commissions a study on public-private partnerships and economic opportunities along the 400-mile corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco, with findings due by July 2026.