State officials in California are putting pressure on localities to reform zoning and permitting practices to allow more housing construction.
Attorney General Rob Bonta has created a new 12-member Department of Justice task force to more strictly enforce pro-housing laws. Bonta hinted recently that more lawsuits against cities failing to meet state-imposed quotas for zoning land for housing could be in the works.
The League of California Cities sharply criticized Bonta’s comments. A spokesperson for the league derided the state’s “scattershot approach” to housing laws that are “often in direct conflict with each other and counterproductive to our shared goals to increase housing supply.”
Tension between the state and local governments over housing recently flared up in the Bay Area. The state Department of Housing and Community Development warned San Francisco that the city’s rejection of two housing projects could violate state law. The department ordered the city to provide “reasoning and evidence” for blocking more than 800 units of new housing.
Related Stories
Legislation | Aug 19, 2016
California lawmakers may take action to address contractor negligence
An assembly committee heard testimony on deadly balcony collapse that occurred last year.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 17, 2016
Investor Confidence Project aimed at raising trustworthiness on energy efficiency projects
The new initiative screens projects to see if they are investor-ready.
Standards | Aug 17, 2016
U.K.’S BREEAM green building standard enters U.S. market
The standard is touted as a cost-effective alternative to LEED.
Standards | Aug 16, 2016
Standard for conducting, reporting energy audits open for review
A joint ASHRAE/ACCA proposal seeks comments from industry professionals.
Legislation | Aug 10, 2016
Calif. bill would speed up environmental lawsuits on certain projects
A nine-month limit has been proposed for some $100 million-plus projects.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
Regulations | Aug 9, 2016
New trend eases parking requirements for U.S. cities
Transit-oriented development and affordable housing are spurring the movement.
Regulations | Aug 8, 2016
EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products
Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.
Regulations | Aug 5, 2016
Stop-work orders in New York City up sharply this year
The orders come after a rise in the number of deadly accidents that have occurred in the past few years.
Sustainability | Aug 4, 2016
S.F. Bay Area voters approve first-of-its-kind tax to fight impact of climate change
The funds from the tax will be used to restore wetlands