Local lawmakers in California are proposing changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in an effort to streamline the housing construction process. Assemblymember David Alvarez and Oakland Democrat Buffy Wicks have introduced a bill, AB 609, which would exempt housing development projects from CEQA requirements for projects 20 acres or less in urban areas or within city boundaries. The goal is to prevent anti-growth groups from using CEQA to delay construction of new homes.
While CEQA is seen as an important tool for environmental protection, developers and business groups argue that it can also hinder construction and contribute to the state’s housing crisis. State Sen. Catherine Blakespear and Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones are among those advocating for reforms to ensure that CEQA is used for its intended purpose of environmental protection rather than as a means to block projects.
In addition to exempting housing projects from CEQA requirements, other ideas to speed up housing construction include locking in rules within city housing elements and ramping up production of building materials within the state. Lawmakers are eager to find solutions to address the housing shortage and homelessness crisis in California, while also respecting the authority of local governments to make land use decisions.
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