News
2021 Land Use, Environmental & Natural Resources Update
Allen Matkins – March 25
With the end of the first quarter of 2021 approaching, we thought it timely to issue an update on selected recent developments and proposed changes in law and policy touching environmental, land use, and natural resource issues. At the national level, with the new Biden administration, federal policies already have undergone a significant sea-change from those of the Trump administration. And the Golden State continues to lead with a protective agenda on land use, environmental, and natural resources legislation and regulation. We present here a diverse set of selected snapshots on the federal and state of California policies, laws, regulations, and judicial opinions that have been adopted and issued in 2020 through the first quarter of this year on these topics.
California lawmakers push for collaborative action on sea level rise
The Mercury News – March 23
California lawmakers are hopeful that the Sea Level Rise Mitigation and Adaptation Act could force quicker and more effective action on sea level rise — a problem that threatens more than 70% of the state’s residents, who live on more than 3,400 miles of coastline. The Sea Level Rise Mitigation and Adaptation Act, introduced in December 2020, would mandate the California Coastal Commission to include sea level rise in their decision-making, as well as require a more cohesive approach to tackling rising seas, by calling for local government, and regional and statewide offices to collaborate.
Could these bills help California build more affordable housing?
Capitol Public Radio – March 23
California needs 1.8 million new housing units by 2025, but is only producing about 80,000 units on average each year, according to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. On Thursday, Housing California and other advocates for affordable housing and the homeless plan to unveil what they call a comprehensive 10-year strategy to address the crisis. The 2021 bills break down into three broad categories: changes to zoning to allow more dense housing at affordable prices, creating exceptions to the state’s strict environmental review process to permit new and denser housing, and building affordable housing using bond money. The bills are expected to be heard in committees beginning in mid-April.
Los Angeles City Council seeking rent freeze on apartments with expiring affordability covenants
Los Angeles Daily News – March 17
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously last Wednesday to explore enacting a rent freeze on residential units with expired or soon-to-expire affordability covenants like the one at Hillside Villa Apartments, which the city is hoping to purchase to prevent significant rent increases. The freezes would continue until comparable housing units are provided.
Los Angeles City Planning Commission approves Hollywood Community Plan Update draft
Bisnow – March 18
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission last Thursday voted 5-3 to approve the draft Hollywood Community Plan Update with a few recommendations, including one that would require some hotel projects in part of Hollywood to get a conditional use permit. The Commission did not vote to add tenant protections that many residents and advocates sought. The plan still has to go before the full Los Angeles City Council.
Net zero energy 3D-printed housing community under construction near Palm Springs
The Orange County Register – March 18
Developers in Southern California are building what they say will be the first 3D-printed zero net energy neighborhood in the United States. Palari Group said it plans to build 15 eco-friendly 3D-printed homes near Palm Springs. The homes will be made of modular panels that are printed out by their partner Mighty Buildings at a facility in Oakland and are assembled at the building site “kind of like Lego blocks,” Starr said.
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