Local communities are far more qualified than the State to decide which land-use and zoning policies help. What works for San Francisco doesn’t work in Santa Cruz, L.A., Riverside, the Wine Country, or San Diego. It’s not wise for the State to believe it can outperform local government on land-use planning and zoning.
We all have a role in increasing affordable housing production, by collaboration between all levels of government, the private sector and community members. Passing the Our Neighborhood Voices Initiative will prevent the State from manipulating local land-use policy and handing out developer "incentives" that produce little affordable housing, then blaming the local government for the crisis. Without delivering funding, or effective policies that produce affordable housing, California won't see an end to the housing crisis.
Allowing developers to take advantage of state density laws in single-family communities without allowing local say will fuel displacement and gentrification in sensitive communities. Because most state laws don't make developers pay for infrastructure, the new density will drain communities of their civic strength. (The City of Santa Cruz has had developers use the density bonus law to build some affordable units. This is not the same as developers including affordable units without a direct benefit to the developer.)
What can you do?
Write to support what the Southern California Assn of Governments has started, the "Our Neighborhood Voice Initiative" for placement on the November 22 ballot which is an initiative to better address local say in what is built in towns throughout California. Please write this email ePublicComment@scag.ca.gov. by 5 pm Wed., Jan 5 voicing your support of having local communities decide what is built. Urge SCAG to agree to accept its excellent staff recommendation to SUPPORT the Our Neighborhood Voices Initiative by writing you are in agreeance with the above points.
Thank you for caring about what is built in California with consideration for local communities.
Read more here: https://www.livablecalifornia.org/mission/