Policy & Legislation
SB 303 Pared Down by Senate Committee
But Valuable Zoning Provisions Left Intact
After holding two hearings last week on SB 303 (Ducheny, D-San Diego), Senate Environmental Quality Committee passed the bill, 6-0. Housing California supports this land use reform measure sponsored by the CA Major Builders Council.
SB 303 began as a far-reaching attempt to extend the horizon of local land use planning and create more certainty for developers proposing projects on residentially-zoned land. As introduced, its major changes to current law included:
- Requiring the housing element to identify and rezone land to meet ten years' worth of housing needs.
- Requiring the rezonings to occur concurrent with adoption of the element.
- Requiring the city council/board of supervisors to make a finding that each site will accommodate the maximum number of homes allowed on the site.
- For a development that is consistent with the site's designation and zoning, requiring a 4/5 vote of the council/board to reduce the density below the applicant's proposed density.
- Requiring a 4/5 vote to change a site's zoning or designation after a completed application has been submitted.
Opposition from environmental organizations and cities resulted in substantial committee amendments to the bill, including removal of the 10-year zoning and 4/5 vote requirements. The committee also added provisions to give the open space and conservation elements parity with the housing element.
Despite the amendments, SB 303 is step forward for nonprofit development. The concurrent zoning requirement remains, along with a provision requiring the housing element’s program components to look ahead 10 years.
Senate Appropriations Committee will hear the bill later this month.
Contact: Julie Snyder, (916) 447-0503 x 102 or
