News
State report raises fresh alarms over sea-level rise
The Orange County Register – August 27
The California Coastal Commission based its most recent adaptation plan on more extreme sea-level-rise scenarios and made the case for relocating vulnerable coastal roads, railways, and sewage plants. The draft report was released August 16, with the public and local jurisdictions having until September 24 to submit comments. The commission is expected to consider final approval in November or December.
L.A. City Council members pursue incentives for wooing affordable housing
Los Angeles Daily News – August 31
Two Los Angeles City Council members introduced a motion this Tuesday to increase incentives for affordable housing developments in neighborhoods with greater access to parks, public transit, schools, grocery stores, and health facilities. If passed by the City Council, the motion would direct the Department of City Planning and the Housing Department to report back within 90 days on options for an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone with a “bundle of development incentives to increase the supply of affordable housing” or an update to the city’s development incentive programs to prioritize 100% affordable housing projects in high-opportunity areas.
San Jose City Council discusses cutting minimum parking requirements
San Jose Spotlight – August 28
The San Jose City Council held a meeting last Friday to discuss cutting minimum parking requirements from new housing and retail developments and requiring builders to enact policies that reduce the need for private vehicles. The discussion is part of a lofty greenhouse gas emissions goal to reduce solo vehicle trips by 25% by 2040. A final decision on the policy will be made by the council in January 2022.
Menlo Park wants to electrify gas-powered buildings by 2030 in bold climate plan
East Bay Times – August 30
The Menlo Park City Council on Tuesday discussed an innovative plan to convert 95% of existing buildings to all-electric power by 2030, a move which would eclipse the climate goals of other major Bay Area cities. Though cities like Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose have banned gas-powered appliances in all new buildings in recent years, only Menlo Park and San Francisco so far have proposed programs and incentives to replace the vast majority of gas-powered appliances in existing buildings citywide within the next decade.
S.F. will soon roll out nation’s first hydrogen ferry
San Francisco Examiner – August 25
When it enters Bay Area waters in the coming months, a 70-foot passenger vessel named the Sea Change will be the first commercial hydrogen fuel cell ferry to operate in the United States. The vessel, which began operational trials in Bellingham, Washington, last week, aims to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology for maritime commercial use.
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