State agencies want the city to speed up its alarmingly slow permitting process.
According to an article by Marisa Lagos for KQED, “California housing authorities are demanding a host of changes to the way San Francisco approves new housing following a yearlong state review into the city’s notoriously difficult permitting process.”
A report from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) concluded that the city’s processes make it too easy for even one individual to stall or stop projects. The city has the longest timeline in the state for approvals of housing projects. “The city also received the most complaints about potential violations of state housing laws of any California jurisdiction, nearly double the next city’s.”
“Among the key problems identified in the 44-page report are the city’s practice of making all permitting discretionary — that is, subject to review by city officials — and allowing appeals after a project has already been approved, and its local laws that add more onerous requirements to state environmental law, and go far beyond what’s required.”
The report calls for 18 specific changes the city must make. The city “must revise laws governing the permitting process by 2026 and eliminate additional environmental requirements within one to three years.”
FULL STORY: San Francisco Takes Forever to Approve New Housing. California Officials Are Forcing Change
Report: New Housing Permits in Los Angeles Decline in 2023
Compared to last year, the city has approved 5.3 percent fewer residential units.
San Francisco to Reconsider Inclusionary Zoning as Development Slows to a Crawl
Critics of inclusionary zoning frequently point to San Francisco as an example of what not to do. A sluggish year of development has some local politicians ready to reconsider the city’s program.
Fourplexes on the Legislative Agenda in San Francisco
San Francisco, the poster child for runaway housing costs and displacement of existing residential populations, could be on the cusp of a change of plans.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service