3 ms·

It's getting very difficult to see how California works its way out of this mess. SB 50 like measures can be passed at the local level in theory but if I've lea

It's getting very difficult to see how California works its way out of this mess. SB 50 like measures can be passed at the local level in theory but if I've learned anything from these fights it's that older, wealthy homeowners will cripple any attempt to do so.

0xB31B1B 7y ago
They can’t be passed at a local level without CEQA review and a torrent of unending lawsuits. That’s why it needs to happen at a state level.
- thedance 7y ago
  That’s not true. Any city in California has total authority to adjust their zoning code. Cities change zoning as a matter of routine business. The reason cities have not done anything constructive is each individual small government is held hostage by its own incumbent land owners.
  - 0xB31B1B 7y ago
    They can do it, it takes 8-10 years. Look at the eastern neighborhoods plan in SF, it literally took 20 years. Part of that is shitty nimby neighbors, part of that is area plans are able to be litigated under CEQA, which Is basically guaranteed, and it adds 4-8 years to an area plan project. My point is that it’s literally illegal to do, but it’s functionally impossible, or at least extremely difficult and it takes a very very long time. Ballot box rezoning is not subject to CEQA and therefore can pass quicker (it’s how JJJ skipped CEQA review in LA) but that’s a whole other can of worms.
    - thedance 7y ago
      Cities don’t need area plans to achieve this. They need only amend their codes to change the parameters of their existing designation, like R-1 or whatever. No public outreach is needed to write down that a duplex is permitted in the zone called R-1. No EIR need be written before raising maximum heights from 25 to 45 feet. Any city government can put the item in their agenda and do this in a single sitting. You’re right that people will sue over anything, and that’s why I support state preemptions in this case, but there’s no excuse for what cities have failed to do.
  - Tiktaalik 7y ago
    There are so so many more renters than land owners. It should be possible if not easy. YIMBYs need to focus more on winning local elections instead of hoping for sweeping changes at the state level.

0xB31B1B 7y ago

They can’t be passed at a local level without CEQA review and a torrent of unending lawsuits. That’s why it needs to happen at a state level.

thedance 7y ago
That’s not true. Any city in California has total authority to adjust their zoning code. Cities change zoning as a matter of routine business. The reason cities have not done anything constructive is each individual small government is held hostage by its own incumbent land owners.
- 0xB31B1B 7y ago
  They can do it, it takes 8-10 years. Look at the eastern neighborhoods plan in SF, it literally took 20 years. Part of that is shitty nimby neighbors, part of that is area plans are able to be litigated under CEQA, which Is basically guaranteed, and it adds 4-8 years to an area plan project. My point is that it’s literally illegal to do, but it’s functionally impossible, or at least extremely difficult and it takes a very very long time. Ballot box rezoning is not subject to CEQA and therefore can pass quicker (it’s how JJJ skipped CEQA review in LA) but that’s a whole other can of worms.
  - thedance 7y ago
    Cities don’t need area plans to achieve this. They need only amend their codes to change the parameters of their existing designation, like R-1 or whatever. No public outreach is needed to write down that a duplex is permitted in the zone called R-1. No EIR need be written before raising maximum heights from 25 to 45 feet. Any city government can put the item in their agenda and do this in a single sitting. You’re right that people will sue over anything, and that’s why I support state preemptions in this case, but there’s no excuse for what cities have failed to do.
- Tiktaalik 7y ago
  There are so so many more renters than land owners. It should be possible if not easy. YIMBYs need to focus more on winning local elections instead of hoping for sweeping changes at the state level.