The law says it's supposed to promote "affordable housing," but L.A. judge throws the lot-split law out because it doesn't guarantee deed-restricted below-market rate units.

Locals officials are agents of the state when they are adopting an SB 10 ordinance, thus allowing them to overrule density caps imposed by voters, judges say.

But judge also says that, in the Coastal Zone at least, builder's remedy is overridden by zoning.

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. 

As in other cities, Redondo claims it "self-certified" its housing element, thus protecting it from a builder's remedy claim. The developer of the city's former beachfront power plant claims HCD approval was required. 

The Builder's Remedy could help transform a moribund power station into over 2,200 oceanside units.

AIDS Heathcare Foundation and Redondo Beach get nowhere in their argument that city councils can't override local ballot measures.

The housing-focused state senator says the politics of housing have flipped and he's willing to take the heat. >>read more

Twenty-five years after adopting a mixed-use ordinance, the city puts a two-year moratorium on such projects. >>read more