Latest News
NOTE: The opinions expressed in the news items cited here do not necessarily represent the opinion of Catalysts for Local Control. We try to present a balanced picture of the news on the subject of housing and legislation.
Are nimbys weaponizing historic preservation?
By Kate Talerico
December 3, 2023
For years, neighborhoods like Baywood — took their lower-density character for granted. That has changed in recent years as state lawmakers passed measures like Senate Bill 9. These state housing laws, though, carve out one notable exception: historic properties. Last month, the San Mateo Heritage Alliance applied to the State Historic Preservation Office to designate Baywood as a historic district, raising the eyebrows of housing advocates.
‘Great urban design’ or ‘Affront to democracy’? High-rise project ignites debate over city growth
by Gennady Sheyner / Palo Alto Weekly
Uploaded: Thu, Nov 30, 2023
Depending on whom you ask, the proposed high-rise development near the California Avenue Caltrain station pitched last week is either an exemplar of smart urban planning or an affront to democracy.
Whatever one’s position, the project that Redco Development has proposed, which includes a 17-story tower, has the potential to transform Palo Alto’s low-key “second downtown.”
Hochul to abandon required construction mandates in ambitious housing plan
BY BEN MAX
NOVEMBER 29, 2023 03:24 PM ET
Gov. Kathy Hochul will not continue to pursue legislation to require housing growth across New York when she releases her 2024 agenda, according to several sources familiar with the governor’s deliberations. Attempting to take on the state’s housing supply and affordability crisis, Hochul made housing a top priority last session after winning her first election to the governor’s office
Faced with ‘builder’s remedy’ threat, S.F. supes advance housing development legislation
By J.K. Dineen
Updated Nov 27, 2023
Faced with threats of losing control of local zoning and jeopardizing funding from the state for housing and transportation, a committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors advanced legislation Monday that would reform how the city approves residential development.
Letters: Does California have a coherent plan to build the millions of units of housing it needs?
By Pat Marriott
November 24, 2023
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed over 50 housing bills this year, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Our representatives compete to pass the most housing laws without any analysis to gauge their effectiveness. Chris Elmendorf’s Open Forum points out the unintended consequences.
It’s the Winchester Mystery House school of planning and it’s not working.
Marin Forum: California’s hidden agenda
NOVEMBER 22, 2023
Marin Forum/Teliha Draheim
There is a shortage of affordable housing in California, but there is no shortage of expensive homes. In their flawed assessment of how to solve housing needs, the State manufactured a crisis. Cities were blamed for not producing enough housing. Yet, California towns and cities don’t build housing, developers do.
Did one of California’s biggest new housing reforms go too far?
By Chris Elmendorf
Updated Nov 20, 2023
The state desperately needs changes to its housing laws. But did a recent fix create more problems than it solved?Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a package of more than 50 housing bills. Most seemed inconspicuous, but sometimes changing just a few words in a statute makes a world of difference. AB1287 is a case in point. It makes a small tweak to a state law that gives developers “bonuses” for building low-income housing.
Sacramento housing mandates don’t make any economic sense
By: Gaetan Lion
November 19, 2023 – 9:49am
I am referring to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) housing building mandates. We know the demographics are not supportive of this scheme. California’s population is projected to remain flat or decline out to 2060. Given that the demographics with flat to declining population growth do not support Sacramento’s housing build-up, the resulting economics of housing development projects fall apart.
Google ditches plans for $15 billion in Bay Area development
By Amanda Bartlett
Nov 5, 2023
Google has abandoned its plans for $15 billion in affordable housing, office and retail development in Silicon Valley, per a Friday announcement by tech giant and Australian developer Lendlease.
“The decision to end these agreements followed a comprehensive review by Google of its real estate investments, and a determination by both organizations that the existing agreements are no longer mutually beneficial given current market conditions.”