CP&DR Podcast Apr. 14, 2020: Housing Crash; Fiscal Strains; Legal Update

At least $500 million in state and federal funds is available to help get planning departments past the COVID-19 financial crisis. More is likely on the way.

Yes, the rooftop deck near the University of Southern California doesn't create a significant impact under CEQA, as per the People's Park case. But the City of Los Angeles still must find that the project conforms with an old redevelopment plan.

If it includes a disposition and development agreement with a specific development program, the answer is yes, according to a San Diego judge.

Altogether the governor signed more than 40 planning and development bills, vetoing only one bill designed to encourage conversion of old office buildings to housing, apparently because off the labor standards contained in the bill.

Legislation includes everything expanding SB 9 to guardrails on builders remedy to clarifying how a housing element can be deemed compliant. About 15 planning and development bills remain on the governor's desk.

San Diego judge rules that Santee couldn't end-run a voter referendum by repealing approval and then passing an emergency ordinance moving the project forward. SB 330 was no help.

The governor has a new infill housing initiative that includes a proposal to use housing as CEQA mitigation. But this play is only partly about housing. It's mostly about getting transportation projects adequately mitigated under SB 743. 

In case challenging Flower Growers high-rise proposal, court finds that city properly adopted Appendix G as its CEQA checklist.

In allowing People's Park housing project to go forward, high court defers to the Legislature's action to override a lower court ruling that drunken noisy students can be a significant impact under CEQA.

All four of California's largest cities -- L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, and San Jose -- have taken steps to dramatically expedite housing projects, especially affordable housing projects. 

In third unpublished appellate court ruling, justices reject argument that affordable housing will not result and that an alternative site in Marina, 40 miles away, should ahve been considered.

Governor agrees to SB 4, SB 423, and various CEQA and density bonus reforms without vetoing any bills. He also signed the "CEQA stall" bill.