SB 375 Likely to Affect Neighborhood Growth Battles

This report takes a local perspective on CA's new land use law, in the context of two preceding environmental laws, CEQA and AB 32. While the former enabled activists to fight new growth, the pendulum has begun to swing toward developers.

1 minute read

February 12, 2009, 10:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid

"Will a new state law strip the last vestiges of local control over the 'smart growth' projects that have triggered countless development battles in (Bay Area cities) in recent years?

While early opinions are mixed, there's little doubt that the laws created to battle globe-warming greenhouse gases (GHGs) could reshape the face of California cities in the decades ahead."

"'Ultimately, no one knows exactly what SB 375 will do, other than create a series of planning milestones that must be met between now and 2010, and then into the future,' declared three attorneys for one of the state's leading land use litigation firms three weeks after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the law."

"Two results could be 'significant density incentives' and streamlining of the environmental review process 'for certain transit-oriented projects' that will surely upset neighborhood activists who use the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to oppose new housing."

Thanks to Bay Area Transportation News

FULL STORY: Far-Reaching New State Law May Reshape the Bay Area

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 in The Berkeley Daily Planet

Environment Government / Politics Land Use Urban Development California TOD Infill AB 32 SB 375 Berkeley CEQA CARB View More

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