Focus
Wiener’s controversial bill to allow housing near transit is back
KQED – March 14 (as modified by our editors)
Senator Scott Wiener is back with another bill – SB 79 – to provide for streamlined ministerial (i.e., no CEQA) approval of qualifying housing development projects near transit across California. For qualifying projects within a quarter-mile of a “Tier 1” major transit stop (as defined), the maximum building height would be at least 75 feet and the local government would be prohibited from imposing a maximum density less than 120 dwelling units per acre (prior to any density bonus). Allowable building heights and density would decrease depending on the type of major transit stop and the distance from the major transit stop, dropping to as low as 45 feet and 60 dwelling units per acre. Additional height and density would be available to qualifying projects that are immediately adjacent (as defined) to a major transit stop. The bill echoes the ethos of SB 50, which failed to advance in early 2020 after an earlier iteration of the bill was held in committee the year prior. That bill built off SB 857, which was first introduced in 2018.
News
Interior Department offers buyouts, early outs to staff as it looks to build housing on federal lands
Government Executive – March 17
The Trump administration has launched an initiative to identify federal lands suitable for building affordable housing, with two agencies forming a partnership to develop the plan. The departments of Interior and Housing and Urban Development will tap into government-managed, “underutilized” lands by transferring them to states and localities to build housing. Leaders of the agencies noted that Interior controls more than 500 million acres of land that could be used to address the shortfall of 7 million housing units in the United States.
Trump administration halting $1B affordable housing preservation program
The Hill – March 12
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has terminated its $1 billion Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, which funds renovation projects at affordable housing units across the country. Congress approved the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included major investments in climate resilience. The apartment-building program focuses on energy-efficient improvements.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors votes to shift plan for long-dormant SoMa development
San Francisco Examiner – March 18
San Francisco city leaders are changing the development plan for a portion of the SoMa neighborhood by removing requirements that favored the creation of new office space. The Board of Supervisors this Tuesday approved revisions to the Central SoMa Plan, which governs how the area can be redeveloped. Supporters say the changes will help unlock more housing growth and spur downtown activity after years of economic upheavals.
San Diego to pay $650K and change affordable housing policy to settle housing equity suit
CBS8 – March 12
The city of San Diego has agreed to pay $650,000 and revise its affordable housing policy to settle a 2019 lawsuit from a group of residents, alleging the city’s housing policies perpetuated segregation and concentrated affordable housing developments in lower-income areas. As part of the settlement, which will be submitted to the city council for final approval, the city will make substantial changes to its housing policies. Policy changes include a pledge to place at least 70% of new affordable housing projects in moderate and high-income parts of the city, emphasize more fairness in its housing goals, give developers more incentives to build below-market-rate housing in higher-income neighborhoods, and encourage the opening of grocery stores and essential resources where needed.
Oceanside council expands authority in reviewing project appeals
The Coast News – March 18
The Oceanside City Council has voted to expand its authority in reviewing appeals of Planning Commission decisions, allowing members to examine entire development projects rather than specific issues raised in an appeal. The March 12 decision, approved by a 3-2 council majority, changes the appeal process to a de novo review. This means council members can now assess a project in its entirety rather than being restricted to the appeal’s listed concerns.
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