Focus
Governor Newsom signs State Density Bonus Law clean up legislation
Allen Matkins – September 29
On September 28, Governor Newsom signed SB 290, which amends certain provisions of the Density Bonus Law (Gov. Code § 65915). Senator Skinner’s SB 290 essentially replicates SB 1085 from 2020, which died, along with several other housing bills, on the Assembly Floor on the final night of the legislative session. In addition to some minor restructuring of Government Code section 65915, SB 290 provides clarifications and revisions to the Density Bonus Law (DBL). The DBL continues to receive attention and updates in Sacramento, as it has proven to be an effective tool for developers and local agencies as they seek to chip away at California’s affordable housing crisis. The revisions in SB 290 may seem relatively minor, but should open doors for student-focused projects and moderate-income deals where parking was an issue.
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News
Lawsuit seeks to block Senate Bill 10
San Francisco Chronicle – September 22
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Los Angeles nonprofit behind unsuccessful statewide rent-control ballot initiatives in the past two election cycles, sued last Wednesday to block a new California law that could pave the way for more small apartment buildings. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the measure, SB 10, last week as part of a package of “light density” legislation aimed at boosting housing production in the state. Starting in January, it will allow cities to rezone some parcels in urban areas, including those near public transit, for up to 10 units without going through a lengthy environmental review process.
Governor Newsom signs bill funding local efforts to mitigate sea level rise
Times of San Diego – September 23
Governor Gavin Newsom last Thursday signed SB 1 to provide coastal communities with up to $100 million annually to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels due to global warming. The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Toni Atkins of San Diego, directs the California Coastal Commission to take sea level rise into account in its planning, policies, and activities, and would establish the California Sea Level Rise State and Regional Support Collaborative to coordinate efforts.
L.A. City Planning Commission signs off on DTLA 2040
Urbanize L.A. – September 27
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has amended and approved the draft DTLA 2040 plan, formally an update to the Central City and Central City North Community Plans, sending the proposed rezoning of the city's downtown core on to the City Council for consideration. Under the DTLA 2040 plan, downtown L.A. would have capacity for more than 175,000 new residents and over 100,000 additional jobs. Those figures, if realized, would concentrate 20 percent of the city's expected household growth through the next two decades in just 1 percent of its total land area. Several elements of the DTLA 2040 plan are a product of the ongoing re:code LA effort, the first comprehensive update to the city's zoning code in decades. The DTLA 2040 plan is serving as a test run for strategies and concepts that will eventually been rolled out in other neighborhoods through the community plan update process.
Encinitas just banned natural gas in new buildings, including homes
The San Diego Union-Tribune – September 22
The Encinitas City Council passed a sweeping building electrification ordinance that, with just a few exceptions, will eliminate installing natural gas infrastructure on new residential and commercial construction within the city limits. The ordinance, which passed last Wednesday, is similar to other measures adopted by 49 other communities in California in the past couple of years but most of those municipalities are located in northern California. The Encinitas ordinance is the most comprehensive ordinance passed by a community in San Diego County.
L.A. County renews ban on commercial evictions through Jan. 31
Spectrum News – September 28
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to extend a moratorium on evictions of commercial tenants through the end of January, but residential tenants are expected to lose similar protections under state law this week. Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who recommended renewing protections for retail and industrial tenants who have been unable to pay rent, explained that the county can no longer offer the same deal to residential renters. The state's eviction moratorium expires on September 30 and is not expected to be renewed.
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