Focus

San Jose considers end to single-family zoning in historic neighborhoods

The Real Deal – December 6

While some California residents are fighting Senate Bill 9, a new state law targeted at ending traditional single-family zoning in most neighborhoods, the city of San Jose is considering an expansion of the law to help the city fight its housing crisis. The city’s proposal would combine the provisions of SB 9 with another previously considered zoning ordinance known as “opportunity housing,” which would allow for more density in historic neighborhoods and regions where duplexes are already allowed. The San Jose City Council will discuss the zoning issue at its next meeting on December 14.

News

L.A. City Council adopts plan to build 500,000 new homes by 2029

Urbanize Los Angeles – November 30

At its final meeting before the Thanksgiving holiday, the Los Angeles City Council voted to adopt an update to the general plan's housing element which aims to accommodate the construction of up nearly 500,000 new homes - including more than 200,000 income-restricted units - over the coming eight years. The framework of the update, named the Plan to House L.A., requires the city to add approximately 57,000 new homes annually between 2021 and 2029 - a five-fold increase from the city's current rate of housing production.

Environmental group and Tejon Ranch agree on plan to build 19,300 zero-emission homes

Los Angeles Times – December 1

One of Southern California’s longest running development battles ended after two decades last Wednesday when an environmental group agreed to the construction of a massive “net-zero” greenhouse gas community of 19,300 homes just off Interstate 5 on the southern flanks of the Tehachapi Mountains. The pact between the Tejon Ranch Co. and the nonprofit Climate Resolve comes amid a severe housing crunch across California and removes perhaps the largest roadblock remaining for the 6,700-acre Centennial project bordering Kern County.

Weaker efficiency standards for manufactured housing could 'threaten grid reliability,' says California agency

Utility Dive – December 2

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering strengthening energy efficiency standards for new manufactured housing. While states govern the building codes and efficiency standards for site-constructed homes, the federal government oversees manufactured housing. The manufactured housing industry and rural utilities filed comments warning that stricter efficiency rules could drive up home prices. The California Energy Commission said in its comments, however, that a tiered approach is not strong enough and that weaker standards "threaten grid reliability, and will create avoidable greenhouse gas emissions."

San Diego approves long-awaited growth blueprint for Barrio Logan

The San Diego Union-Tribune – December 3

San Diego approved a long-awaited new growth blueprint for Barrio Logan on Tuesday that aims to make the community healthier by separating residents from the shipping industry, adding several parks, and allowing many new projects. The plan, which the City Council approved unanimously, comes seven years after local business groups overturned a similar effort with a successful citywide referendum. It’s the first update to the community’s growth plan since 1978.