The 2023 law makes it easier for religious institutions and some colleges to build affordable housing. Some local jurisdictions are easing the path as well.
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 the latest ruling on this emerging topic, an appellate court shot down the San Diego County board's decision to require an EIR for a recycling plant -- even though county's own staff, zoning administrator, and planning commission all said an exemption was warranted.
In an unpublished case, an appellate court strikes down an environmental group's challenge to parking reform in San Diego. The court relied partly on SB 743 to uphold a CEQA exemption for the ordinance.
In the wake of the pandemic, some California downtowns are stronger than ever. Others resemble the walking dead. Both scenarios have inspired planners to get creative.
When a court told the City of San Diego to engage in more CEQA review, the city abandoned the project. Then the plaintiff tried to get the city to conduct the review anyway -- but an appellate court overruled her.
An appellate court concluded that San Diego staff emails constituted a "smoking gun" that the city had not considered a proposed increase in the height limit in the Midway area's programmatic EIR.
Only two jurisdictions are considering implementing the law so far -- the City of San Diego and Humboldt County. But others may have to use SB 10 in order to implement their housing elements >> read more
