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

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.