by William Fulton

The Regional Early Action Program has funded a lot of local planning for housing. But half of the REAP 2.0 money is being recalled.

But it was less clear how the justices would instruct local governments about how to apply narrower exaction rules to General Plans.

The state's action on housing has focused on making entitlements easier to get. But housing production hasn't gone up. Maybe there aren't enough developers and planners left in the state to get the job done.

The ruling came after HCD rejected the city's housing element for a third time. The city's attorney says Beverly Hills is appealing the case and therefore the suspension won't go into effect immediately.

In third unpublished appellate court ruling, justices reject argument that affordable housing will not result and that an alternative site in Marina, 40 miles away, should ahve been considered.

But in a case from Redondo Beach, the L.A. County Superior Court judge also ruled that the vote requirement is pre-empted by state law. 

They could simply box in California cities on nexus and proportionality. Or, led by Thomas and Alito, they could throw the bomb and say development is a right and not a privilege

A property owner who built without a permit claimed the Coastal Commission didn't review the project with objective standards. An appellate court said subjective standards are embedded in the law -- especially with regard to views. 

The Surf City claimed that its 14th Amendment rights were violated by the RHNA process -- and claimed it could sue because it is a charter city and not a "subdivision of the state". A federal judge disagreed. 

Mining interests challenged Ventura County's new ordinance. But an appellate court said projects subject to CEQA exemptions 7 and 8 don't have to protect the entire environment, only specific natural resources. 

Eight builder's remedy projects in San Jose are downsizing because of the market. Can the city allow the projects to go forward and still meet its RHNA targets? 

Culver City's anti-mansionization ordinance reduced floor-area ratio for large lots. That ran afoul of SB 330.

In ruling from Los Angeles, appellate court says that "local control has not been abrogated by the HAA.”

After a review, HCD has told San Francisco it must start reforming its entitlement process by Thanksgiving or else. Will the state start investigating other cities' entitlement processes as well?