CP&DR News Briefs February 10, 2026: L.A. Streamlining; S.D. Transit Plan; L.A. Subway Expansion; and More

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Los Angeles Consolidates Development-Related Services

Los Angeles City Planning has launched the Development Services Bureau, designed to streamline planning and zoning reviews and improve customer experience. This bureau consolidates zoning review functions previously split between the Department of City Planning and the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety under one umbrella to accelerate project reviews. The new department will consolidate the Development Service Centers (DSC) Division, the Office of Zoning Administration (OZA), and tailored consultation services. By centralizing responsibilities, the city hopes applicants will have clearer pathways and faster responses, with fewer department hand-offs and less redundant review.

San Diego Advances Scaled-Down Regional Transit Plan

The San Diego Association of Governments has walked back major future transit network aspirations in their latest $125 billion blueprint for a new regional infrastructure plan. The agency’s 2020 plan included a high-speed commuter rail system that has been replaced in favor of what SANDAG believes is a more realistic approach, including more rapid bus routes, express lanes on freeways, micro-transit shuttles and light trolley service. Even in the wake of this massive scaling back, the agency is still faced with the issue of who will foot the bill. The agency’s current proposal would rely on a proposed 2036 ballot measure which increases sales tax by three-quarters of a cent, and eventually revenue from MTS itself. San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava expressed his support for the updated plan as well as frustration at a perceived lack of delivery on over-scale promises.

L.A. Metro Approves Subway Connecting Westside to San Fernando Valley

After years of debate, the Los Angeles Metro’s board of directors unanimously approved one of the most significant transit projects in the country, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project, selecting an underground heavy-rail option that would connect the San Fernando Valley to the Westside in under 20 minutes. The plan has gone through several iterations due to concerns about environmental risks, interference with existing infrastructure, and overall inconvenience. The latest draft was received with overwhelming support from the public after changes were made, including eliminating a monorail proposal and controversial Getty center stop. Questions still remain about funding for the project, which has secured roughly $3.5 billion through Measure M and Measure R, just a fraction of the $24.2 billion estimated for a previous version of the plan. The agency has cited a need to rely on state, local, federal and possibly private funding to complete the project, but has not provided a specific fundraising plan.

National City Adopts Bayfront Plan with Coastal Commission Blessing

After more than a decade of planning, National City in southwestern San Diego County, won unanimous approval from the California Coastal Commission for its National City Balanced Plan, clearing the way for long-sought public access to the city’s bayfront. National City is the only West Coast city with waterfront land but no direct public access, as all three miles of bayfront are controlled by the Navy or the Port of San Diego. The plan expands Pepper Park by nearly 50% and adds new public amenities, including a promenade, viewing areas, and pedestrian and bike connections. There are also commercial developments in this plan, including a recreational vehicle park with approximately 150 RV sites, 29 tent sites, 25 structured tents and 12 cabins, with future plans to replace up to 65 RV spaces with two hotels containing around 365 rooms. The commission approved the plan unanimously, with only two objections during public comment, one requesting air pollution monitors before proceeding and another seeking additional changes to the plan. Both were rejected by commissioners after noting extensive review and stakeholder collaboration.

CP&DR Coverage: National APA Recognizes California Wildfire Education Program

Despite increasing urgency to plan around fire hazards and prevent urban wildfires, it is widely understood that planners are not necessarily trained to address wildfires, and firefighters are not necessarily trained to understand urban planning. Enter, the Land Use Planning for Wildfires in California Training Program -- this year’s recipient of one of the American Planning Association’s National four National Planning Awards. The program is a series of one-day workshops conducted around the state jointly by the nonprofit Community Wildfire Planning Center (CWPC) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). CWPC Executive Director, Molly Mowery, and Cal Fire Deputy Chief for Land Use Planning, Shane Vargas, share insight into the national importance of their budding program. Among the timeliness of this initiative, the pair discuss key successes, the commitment of attendees, implementation beyond the training, and what the future may hold for this program.

Quick Hits & Updates

The City of Hollister has released a new revised version of its draft General Plan 2040, replacing an earlier plan that was rescinded by the City Council in 2025 after local activist groups argued it would allow too much growth. The updated plan lays out the city’s vision and policies for land use, housing, transportation, environment, open space, and conservation for the next two decades. (See related CP&DR coverage.)

The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has purchased 2,284 acres of the historic Sargent Ranch in southern Santa Clara County for $23 million, effectively halting plans for a controversial sand and gravel quarry. With this acquisition, POST now owns 6,114 of the ranch’s 6,500 acres and is under contract to acquire the remaining land, making it the largest conservation deal in the organization’s nearly 50-year history. The trust plans to preserve the land’s biodiversity, maintain wildlife corridors, safeguard cultural sites, and potentially allow public outdoor activities like hiking.

A Solano County coalition that includes California Forever and regional economic leaders is urging the federal government to designate the California Delta as a “maritime prosperity zone” to help revive large-scale shipbuilding in Solano County and the surrounding region. The push is backed by Solano Economic Development Corporation, Cal Poly's Maritime Academy, the owners of Mare Island, the Nimitz Group, the Bay Area Council, and California Forever, who is now the county’s largest landowner. (See related CP&DR coverage.)

The Trump administration approved a Newsom-backed plan to build Sites Reservoir, a 13-mile long off-stream lake north of Sacramento. The reservoir would cost between $6.2 and $6.8 billion and provide water to residents of Santa Clara County, parts of the East Bay and Los Angeles, and irrigation to 500,000 acres in the Central Valley. 

After years of delays, a Metrolink commuter train between Ventura and Santa Barbara could start running on pre-existing Amtrak train tracks. Transportation planners hope the new train service will help reduce congestion on Highway 101. Service could start as early as April 2026.

A federal appeals court upheld an order requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to build more than 2,500 housing units for veterans on its West Los Angeles campus, finding that the VA discriminated against unhoused veterans by failing to use the land for its intended purpose. The ruling invalidated several commercial leases on the property, including the Brentwood School’s athletic facilities, but allowed UCLA’s lease for Jackie Robinson Stadium to remain in place for now.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy launched Public Land for All Communities and the Environment (PLACE), a national campaign to empower local government and civic partners to overcome common procedural and legal barriers to the effective transfer and transformation of public land, including for affordable housing, nature-based solutions, conservation, and other public benefits.