Lake Tahoe Residents File Suit against Plan to Increase Housing
A coalition of residents on the California side of Lake Tahoe area filed a lawsuit to block recently-approved modifications to a development plan allowing for increased affordable housing, hotels and dining options on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. This legal action, filed in Placer County Superior Court, aims to safeguard the lake's well-being, opposing amendments made by the Placer County supervisors to the Tahoe development plan. While the amendments seek to enable more lodging, mixed-use development and workforce housing throughout North Tahoe, the residents argue these changes could exacerbate existing problems like traffic congestion and pollution. They express skepticism about the benefits claimed by the county's plan and fear it might favor luxury homes over much-needed affordable housing. The lawsuit alleges violations of the California Environmental Quality Act and demands a revised environmental impact report considering the strain on Tahoe's infrastructure due to the pandemic.
Newsom Asks Court to Review Property Tax Ballot Measure
At the request of Gov. Newsom and Democratic legislators, the California Supreme Court agreed to review a 2024 state ballot initiative--titled "Lower Supermajority Requirement to 55% for Local Special Taxes to Fund Housing and Public Infrastructure Amendment" (LRCA) -- requiring voter approval for tax and fee increases, including taxes related to land use. Backed by business groups, the LRCA has gained enough signatures for the ballot, but Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders argue that it could severely limit elected officials' powers and demand a constitutional revision. Typically, the court determines a ballot's constitutionality after voter approval, but in a past case, it removed an initiative without deciding on its constitutionality, necessitating a two-thirds legislative approval for revisions. Newsom's team has condemned the initiative as a move by business interests to disrupt government functions, while its proponents defend it as safeguarding voters' rights. The LRCA aims to uphold the two-thirds majority for tax increases while retroactively mandating voter approval for regulatory actions affecting finances since 2022, sparking concerns from city mayors and educational associations about potential economic threats to services.
Developer Wavers on Cupertino Builder's Remedy Proposal
The City of Cupertino received its first "builder’s remedy" proposal, envisioning a five-story apartment complex at 20015 Stevens Creek Boulevard, inclusive of affordable housing units. Despite this, the developer's partner recently halted the plans without a specific explanation, suggesting that builder's rememdy provisions alone are not enough to make the project viable. The 70-foot proposal, aiming to establish 141 units near The Rise development by Sand Hill Property Company, was initially filed in May under Senate Bill 330 to expedite approval processes. However, a subsequent application leveraging the builder's remedy sought to bypass local zoning control due to Cupertino's non-compliant Housing Element plan, which was expected to demonstrate a strategy for accommodating 4,588 dwelling units between 2023 and 2031. The same development company also navigates a separate builder's remedy permit for 3150 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, responding to city support uncertainties by providing an alternative route to secure housing construction if the initial application faces rejection.
High Rise Proposed in Palo Alto via Builder's Remedy
A developer has proposed a 17-story, 382-unit apartment complex at 156 California Ave. in Palo Alto, invoking the "builder's remedy" to bypass certain restrictions in cities lacking state-approved housing plans. The joint venture project exceeds the city's height limit and density allowances, seeking to replace a store while integrating affordable units. The pre-application, submitted under Senate Bill 330 to ease housing shortages, faces contention due to Palo Alto's non-compliance with state-certified housing plans. The city claims exemption from the builder's remedy, yet the developer argues the project qualifies. However, critics argue the affordable units fall short, lamenting the use of state mandates without addressing housing affordability issues. Advocates for the project highlight its transit-friendly location and potential contributions to sustainability, echoing calls for more housing near amenities and transportation hubs.
Report: California Rents Have Budged Slightly
A study by the California Housing Partnership reports rent affordability improved slightly for moderate- and low-income households while extremely low-income renters (1.21 million households) saw no increase in affordability from previous years. Those extremely low-income renters cannot afford rent in any county, with some areas remaining consistently out of reach for all low-income renters. The study found very low-income renters can afford rent in only seven counties. 72% of zip codes are affordable to median-income families and 42% of zip codes are affordable to low-income families. The study recommends state policy address the need for extremely low-income housing to prevent poverty and homelessness.
CP&DR Coverage: Can 45,000 New Homes Qualify as "Smart Growth"?
The city of Fresno, which has grown by over 25% since 2000 and has low housing costs relative to coastal metros, is in the midst of another debate over where future growth should go—and how dense it should be. The current debate is over a specific plan for developing prime farmland on the southeast edge of the city, which is relatively unconstrained by topography or neighboring cities. The plan involves approximately 9,000 acres in what is known as the Southeast Development Area, or SEDA, located east of Fresno, south Clovis and north of Sanger. The plan would allow up to 45,000 homes and 150,000 new residents. The plan could be adopted by the end of the year. Despite the vast acreage that might be developed, city planners envision smart growth rather than sprawl.
Quick Hits & Updates
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is allocating $776 million in subsidies to Bay Area transit agencies like BART and SFMTA, with BART receiving $352 million (45%) and SFMTA $309 million (40%), aiming to prevent significant service cuts until 2026. These subsidies, a portion of the $1.1 billion transit bailout in California's budget, come with conditions requiring action against fare evasion and accountability in regional coordination efforts, demanding BART to upgrade fare gates by 2025 and SFMTA to strategize for reducing fare evasion on Muni.
San Jose State University plans to purchase a former hotel tower by December 2025 for $113 million to transform it into student housing, intending to house 700 to 800 students starting next fall, significantly expanding its presence in downtown San Jose. The university aims to exercise its option to buy the tower 25 months into the leasing deal and has plans for substantial renovations, with a focus on creating a student-centric environment equipped with amenities such as dining areas, fitness centers and study lounges.
A housing package that the San Diego City Council rejected is getting an overhaul from Mayor Todd Gloria and Council President Sean Elo-Rivera due to the city's pressing housing crisis, aiming to address affordability by increasing housing supply. The revised plan, including controversial elements like allowing low-income housing at different locations under the Complete Communities program, will return to the council for potential approval, emphasizing the shared goal of offering housing opportunities across income levels citywide.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is allocating $776 million in subsidies to Bay Area transit agencies like BART and SFMTA, with BART receiving $352 million (45%) and SFMTA $309 million (40%), aiming to prevent significant service cuts until 2026. These subsidies, a portion of the $1.1 billion transit bailout in California's budget, come with conditions requiring action against fare evasion and accountability in regional coordination efforts, demanding BART to upgrade fare gates by 2025 and SFMTA to strategize for reducing fare evasion on Muni.
San Jose State University plans to purchase a former hotel tower by December 2025 for $113 million to transform it into student housing, intending to house 700 to 800 students starting next fall, significantly expanding its presence in downtown San Jose. The university aims to exercise its option to buy the tower 25 months into the leasing deal and has plans for substantial renovations, with a focus on creating a student-centric environment equipped with amenities such as dining areas, fitness centers and study lounges.
A housing package that the San Diego City Council rejected is getting an overhaul from Mayor Todd Gloria and Council President Sean Elo-Rivera due to the city's pressing housing crisis, aiming to address affordability by increasing housing supply. The revised plan, including controversial elements like allowing low-income housing at different locations under the Complete Communities program, will return to the council for potential approval, emphasizing the shared goal of offering housing opportunities across income levels citywide.
A tech company plans to occupy the former Aerojet land in Rancho Cordova, aiming to create over 1,000 jobs by building an electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility. Local businesses anticipate increased foot traffic and economic growth, particularly from the company's proposed 1.5 million square feet of office space, which could enhance Sacramento's status as a zero-emission vehicle hub.
Based on alternatives analysis for LA Metro's proposed Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project data, an underground subway from Van Nuys to UCLA would take 12 minutes, carrying up to 120,000 weekday riders, while an aerial monorail would take over double the time and accommodate fewer passengers due to indirect UCLA stations requiring transfers. Discussions about cost estimates and route alignments persist for the six proposed alternatives, emphasizing the subway's faster travel times and higher ridership against the perceived cost-effectiveness of the monorail.
StreetLight Data reported a nationwide 36% decrease in daily walking trips between 2019 and 2022, with all states and major metropolitan areas experiencing drops, while the National Association of City Transportation Officials highlighted increased usage in shared bikes and e-scooters, particularly with rising popularity in electric bikes. This trend indicates a shift in walking becoming more recreational than a utility mode, raising concerns about its impact on transportation and climate, even as pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in 2022.
