Focus
Bruce's Beach bill, SB 796, passes California Senate and heads to Assembly
Spectrum News – June 2
California Senate Bill 796 — which clears the way for the beachfront land known as Bruce’s Beach to be returned to the Bruce family descendants — passed the California Senate last Wednesday and now moves on to the State Assembly. The land was once known as Bruce’s Lodge, a Black-owned beach resort during the 1910s and 1920s. But by 1929, after years of targeted harassment by both residents and the city’s Board of Trustees, the Bruces and four other Black families were forced off their land by eminent domain.
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News
Los Angeles Planning Department proposes "fair share" allocations for affordable housing
Urbanize Los Angeles – June 8
Across California, cities are in the midst of updating zoning and land use regulations to plan for and accommodate new housing over the next eight years. In Los Angeles, the Planning Department hopes to use this process to ensure that growth is distributed equitably across its neighborhoods. In a memo submitted on May 21 to the City Council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee, department staff laid out recommendations for how ongoing updates to the city's 35 community plans and its housing element can establish "fair share" distribution of affordable housing, while also helping Los Angeles meet its obligation to upzone for 456,643 new housing units under its regional housing needs allocation (RHNA).
San Diego policy proposal may excuse many businesses from having to provide customer parking
The San Diego Union-Tribune – June 5
Many businesses in San Diego would no longer need to provide parking spaces for customers and staff and could use the spaces for additional outdoor dining/retail under a controversial new proposal that aims to accelerate efforts to make the city less car-reliant and more climate-friendly. The proposal, which the City Council is scheduled to vote on next month, would eliminate parking requirements for businesses located near mass transit or in small plazas near dense residential areas. City officials said fewer parking spots at businesses would encourage more people to commute and get to shopping areas by mass transit, bicycle, or by walking.
Del Mar declines to seek Coastal Commission certification for sea level rise plan
Del Mar Times – June 8
The Del Mar City Council decided to withdraw its sea level rise adaptation plan from a June 10 hearing before the California Coastal Commission, which leaves the plan uncertified after years of discussions between the two sides. The city’s plan, adopted in 2018, will remain in effect without Coastal Commission certification, but that could create complications in new public and private development. The Commission oversees development throughout the state’s coastal zone, which includes the entire city of Del Mar. Sand replenishment and other efforts to counter the rising sea in Del Mar will continue.
San Francisco supervisors move to make outdoor parklets permanent
San Francisco Chronicle – June 8
San Francisco officials voted this Monday to advance legislation making parklets, the infrastructure behind pandemic outdoor dining, a permanent part of the city’s streetscape. The three-member committee adopted amendments proposed by Supervisor Aaron Peskin, which included delaying permit fees and requiring accessibility for disabled people. The program requires a full vote by the Board of Supervisors, scheduled for June 22, and could be subject to further changes.
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