Land Use Planning Progress: SB375 Update

Land Use Planning Progress – as you know, CHC has actively supported Sen. Ducheny’s sensible land use reform bill SB303 over the past two years agreeing whole-heartedly that greater certainty in the planning, entitlement, and project-approval processes is essential if we are to markedly increase housing production across California.  Substantial progress has taken place lately in merging the intent of SB303 with SB375, the land-use planning bill that for the first time would establish carbon reduction standards as part of a comprehensive land-use reform.  As explained in the attached CBIA Memorandum on SB 375:  “In addition to linking regional transportation planning with local land use planning, [SB375 would now] align both of those activities with the state-mandated housing element process and provide significant regulatory reform to develop projects that are proposed within areas consistent with a ‘sustainable communities strategy’.  Please also download the Sacramento Bee’s August 7 Editorial entitled, “A Breakthrough on Regional Plans”.

Background -- Senate President pro tem-elect Darrel Steinberg introduced SB375 last year to establish carbon reduction objectives for California’s landmark ‘Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006’ (AB32) by creating a state-based land-use planning and decision-making process.  In its original form SB375 was a non-started for builders, developers, and local government – all of whom actively opposed the bill in 2007.  Senator Ducheny and SB303 sponsor CBIA have worked together with the League of California Cities over the past 6 months to negotiate a series of constructive amendments to SB375 geared toward ensuring greater certainty in the development process while ensuring incentive-based improvement to development patterns.   These amendments are summarized in the attached CBIA Memorandum; please also download the Sacramento Bee’s August 7 Editorial entitled, “A Breakthrough on Regional Plans”.

SB375 is currently being amended to reflect the progress summarized in the attached memorandum.  We will notify CHC members of the new language and action steps in the near future.