AB 98 would impose standards on new warehouses, especially in the Inland Empire -- but environmental justice groups say it doesn't go far enough and the bill was prepared in secrecy
Two bills sitting on the governor's desk would make it more difficult for cities and counties to claim that their housing element is compliant just because their elected officials approved it. Those are among the 30 so or planning and development bills approved by the Legislature this year.
Meanwhile, around the state, cities push back against builders remedy applications by saying builders remedy doesn't apply and applications are incomplete. And everybody is waiting for the outcome of the La Cañada Flintridge case.
The state passed a law protecting the species after the Fish & Game Commission deadlocked on listing it. Critics say the mitigation fee of $300 to $2,500 per plant will make housing projects infeasible.
Insurance in wildfire areas is becoming harder to get -- which should be a good thing for the state's growth management policies. But it's getting in the way of meeting the state's housing targets.
The state's environmental agencies may be insulated from the new ruling stripping federal administrative agencies of power -- and they're picking up the slack. But do they have the capacity and expertise to do the job?
Affordability is tightened up slightly but allowable density is reduced. Plus, West Hollywood believes it's so prohousing it will seek legislation exempting it from the builder's remedy.
The backers of the controversial new city "California Forever" -- now branded the East Solano Plan -- have submitted signatures for a November ballot measure. It faces long odds.
The state recently approved Beverly Hills' housing element, bringing a contentious situation to a close. Most other housing elements have also been approved and the state is negotiating with the remaining cities and counties to reach agreement.
