Policy & Legislation
New Planning Bill Reignites Old Debates
May 07, 2009
In February, Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) introduced SB 575 to clean-up provisions of his SB 375, signed into law last year. (A "clean-up bill" is one designed to fix oversights and errors made in prior legislation.)
As expected with a bill of SB 375's complexity, a host of minor and major issues have been raised by organizations involved in housing and transportation planning.
The main issue under discussion now is how the floating deadlines of the Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs) will sync with housing element due dates, which, prior to SB 375, were fixed in statute. Local advocates want sufficient notice of the due dates to organize public participation in local housing element hearings and workshops, while cities are reluctant to commit to a due date before finishing their RTPs.
A group met on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, to discuss this and other questions, but did not reach any resolution. Participants included League of CA Cities, Housing CA, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, various councils of government, California League of Conservation Voters, and others.
Additionally, the San Diego Association of Governments and Southern California Association of Governments are seeking to change the due dates of their member jurisdictions' housing elements.
SB 575 passed Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, with a 6 to 3 vote. Senate Appropriations Committee will hear the bill later this month.
Negotiations will undoubtedly continue throughout the year.
Contact Julie Snyder, 916.447.0503 x102 or .
