Petaluma riled by state housing proposal

A proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown to fast-track affordable housing projects has drawn criticism from the Petaluma City Council and North Bay lawmakers, who say it removes local control over the approval process for such developments.

All seven members of the city council last month signed onto a letter to state lawmakers opposing the governor’s so-called by-right housing proposal, which aims to streamline the permitting process for developments that include a certain portion of on-site affordable housing units.

Brown’s proposal, included in the $122 billion budget that state lawmakers approved in June, would set aside $400 million for affordable housing, provided that local bureaucratic hurdles for some developments are removed. The Streamlining Affordable Housing Approvals trailer bill requires separate lawmaker approval.

Specifically, the bill would reduce the sometimes lengthy review process that developers face at the local level, often including multiple hearings and opportunities for public opposition and environmental scrutiny. Housing projects that meet local zoning requirements and include 20 percent affordable units or 10 percent if it is near public transit, must be reviewed and approved by city staff in less than 90 days, under the proposal.

Proposal has critics, supporters

Supporters say that the cumbersome local approval process discourages developers from building much needed housing in urban areas like Petaluma, which are beset by a housing crisis. The current system, they say, allows residents and environmentalists a platform to block or delay projects that would otherwise add to a city’s affordable housing stock.

But opponents of the governor’s plan say that the local review process is critical to giving residents a say in how their cities are developed. Limiting this process, they say, would stifle the healthy debate in many cities that is intended to spur good urban planning.

In its letter, the city council said that restricting local design review is short-sighted.

“Eliminating opportunities for public review of these major development projects goes against the principles of local democracy and public engagement,” the council members wrote. “While it may be frustrating for some developers to hear concerns about traffic, parking and other development impacts, those affected by such projects have a right to be heard. Not having such outlets will increase public distrust in government.”

Lawmakers weigh in

The proposal is also opposed by the League of California Cities and some North Bay lawmakers.

State Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, said that she doesn’t think the $400 million in state funding for affordable housing should be tied to the streamlining bill. She said that there should be some compromise that allows local government to retain control of the approval process for projects, but also stimulates more housing development.

“There is interest in streamlining the process. We want the housing built,” she said. “But it is important that each community has the right to impose their standard, as long as it is a reasonable one.”

Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, said he would like to see the bill modified before he can support it.

“I am concerned that ‘by-right’ proposes a one-size-fits-all approach to what should be a local land use and planning decision,” he said. “I understand that stakeholders are still discussing this issue, and it is my hope that local concerns can be resolved before this bill is taken up for a vote in the legislature.”

More housing needed

Assemblyman Bill Dodd, D-Napa, said that the North Bay in particular needs to do more to address the housing crisis.

“Affordable housing is a critical challenge in California, especially across our region. We need to take steps to ensure that working families can afford to live in the communities they work and that seniors can afford to retire in our communities,” he said in a statement. “The state Assembly passed a number of bills this year to help the situation, but even if they’re signed into law, there is still much more to be done at both the state and local levels. I appreciate the Governor showing interest in this important issue, and I’m hopeful the legislature and Governor can work together with local stakeholders to find workable solutions.”

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office backed the governor’s plan, saying it would encourage the development of much needed residential units in communities where many low-income families are priced out due to the lack of affordable housing stock.

“The governor’s proposal to change how local communities approve housing projects would be an important first step toward addressing California’s housing shortage,” the office wrote in a report. “Too little home building has serious adverse effects that extend beyond a community’s boundaries. These consequences are extensive. Housing costs in California have risen rapidly, posing a host of challenges for many Californians, especially low-income Californians.”

(Contact Matt Brown at matt.brown@arguscourier.com.)