News
Environmental groups pull support from L.A. River Master Plan
 Los Angeles Times – June 14
A coalition of environmental groups has withdrawn support for the L.A River Master Plan over differences with its recommendations for uplifting the profile of the concrete flood control channel over the next 25 years. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors was expected on Tuesday to vote on adopting the final plan. The plan's development team regards the proposal as a way of improving some of Southern California’s poorest, most densely populated communities — and atoning for racial and institutional injustices that have stymied their progress since World War II. But various influential nonprofit environmental groups would prefer to see naturalization of the river itself.
Uptick in homebuilding won’t bring enough supply to trim prices: UCLA Anderson survey
The Real Deal – June 6
Homebuilding will speed up for the rest of the year in California and the rest of the nation despite a crimp in sales from rising interest rates, proceeding at a pace that will slow price increases rather than send them downward, according to the most recent quarterly report from then UCLA Anderson School of Management. The report found that hikes in interest rates have trimmed some demand in the housing market but also provided a measure of help to developers and homebuilders by easing pressures on supply chains. The report projected that 124,000 net new units––including single-family, multi-family, and accessory dwelling units––will be permitted throughout California for the rest of this year, wrote Jerry Nicklesburg, director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast.
Oakland will create a registry to track rent increases and evictions across the city
The Mercury News – June 10
The City of Oakland will establish a “rent registry” database so anyone can find out who owns tenant housing in Oakland, how much they charge rent, and how often they’ve raised it. Under a plan proposed by managers who oversee the Rent Adjustment Program and unanimously approved Tuesday by the City Council, landlords will be required to submit information annually to the city about their units. Failure to do so would bar them from seeking rent increases exceeding certain caps or responding to tenants’ petitions opposing higher rents.
San Jose could cut parking requirements for new developments
San Jose Spotlight – June 11
San Jose planning officials are split on a proposal to eliminate minimum parking requirements for new building projects and what it could mean for the future of the city. The San Jose Planning Commission voted 6-2-3 last Wednesday to receive a report with several alternatives for reducing parking spaces. City planners offered two alternatives to the recommendation: eliminating parking minimums everywhere except for single-family zoned neighborhoods or removing the mandate in neighborhoods designated for growth in the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan, such as downtown and urban villages.
Environmental review completed for San Francisco to San Jose section of high-speed rail project
KRON4 – June 11
The final environmental impact report is now complete for the section of the high-speed rail project connecting San Francisco and San Jose. The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released the final report Friday on the possible environmental impacts of the roughly 49-mile northern leg of the rail system, which will extend through major population centers in the Bay Area. CHSRA’s Board of Directors will consider the final document for approval during its two-day board meeting on Aug. 17 and 18.
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