"It would essentially exempt such projects that are within a half mile of public transit services from local oversight, regardless of the building site's local zoning. This is exactly where we should be building more housing, right by our highest quality transit, says state Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill's author. It has drawn heavy criticism from local officials, who would lose their ability to oversee such projects and from residents of single-family neighborhoods that could be affected."
"While campaigning for the office, Newsom pledged to jump-start housing construction and reduce the state's large population of homeless people. Newsom has signed numerous bills meant to spur housing construction by reducing local land use authority, and his administration has cracked down on cities that fail to designate enough land to meet state housing quotas. However, the state still falls very short of its declared level of needed housing production."
Relations between California's state officials and nearly 500 cities and counties have become especially strained over housing and money. Senate Bill 79 would exempt high-density housing projects within a half mile of public transit from local oversight regardless of local zoning. State Sen. Scott Wiener says such locations are appropriate for more housing. The measure has drawn criticism from local officials and residents, and the Los Angeles City Council voted 8-5 to oppose it while Mayor Karen Bass sought exemptions for cities with state-approved housing plans. Governor Gavin Newsom has pursued laws to spur housing by limiting local land-use authority, yet statewide production still falls short of targets.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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