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Bay Area Considers $110 Billion Plan to Address Sea-Level Rise
The Bay Area introduced its first plan to address the challenges of sea-level rise, which could lead to severe flooding and infrastructure damage. Estimated at $110 billion, the plan includes constructing seawalls, levees and marshes to protect the region's 400 miles of shoreline, which, if ignored, could result in $230 billion in damages. The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) has released a draft Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan to standardize responses across local governments, although some officials worry it may be too ambitious given current resources. With predictions of significant sea-level rise over the coming decades, the plan aims to unify adaptation efforts and establish regional priorities, including the management of contaminated sites. Public feedback on the draft is open until October 18, with finalization expected by the end of the year, while BCDC seeks to support localities in developing their own plans through grants. (See related CP&DR coverage.)
Los Angeles Envisions "Car-Free" Olympic Games in 2028
The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority outlined a draft public transit strategy for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in a recently released a presentation titled “Metro 2028 Games Mobility Concept Plan”. Key elements include a “Car-Free, Transit-First Games” approach with no parking at venues and the establishment of a “Games Route Network” featuring priority lanes, although not universally applied. The plan anticipates an 80-day operations period, with a supplemental bus system running during the Olympic and Paralympic competitions and highlights the need for extensive infrastructure like 25 park-and-ride sites and 2,700 buses supported by 6,000 drivers. Areas projected to attract the most spectators include USC, Inglewood and Carson, with peak-day ridership expected to reach 1.2 million, surpassing current weekday averages. Despite some federal funding secured, significant financial gaps remain, raising questions about Metro’s capacity to effectively implement the plan and manage the anticipated challenges. (See related CP&DR coverage.)
AIDS Healthcare Settles Class-Action Suit over Skid Row Properties
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) reached a settlement of $575,000 in a class-action lawsuit by current and former tenants of a Skid Row apartment building suing over unsafe living conditions. The agreement, announced before opening statements, also includes AHF refunding tenants 25% of rent since 2017, hiring elevator consultants and pest control experts and committing to general improvements. The settlement comes during AHF's campaign for Proposition 33, the latest of three statewide rent-control initiatives that it has sponsored, drawing criticism for prioritizing campaign funding over building maintenance. AHF's president stated the organization invested significant resources in improving the building in addition to stressing the need for broader affordable housing solutions.
Sacramento Finalizes Effort to Undo Single-Family Zoning
Culminating a high-profile effort to increase density citywide, the Sacramento City Council adopted the Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance, making it the first city in California to permit multi-unit housing in single-family neighborhoods. This new policy replaces density limits with maximum floor area rules, allowing buildings up to 2.5 stories based on lot size and proximity to public transit. Housing types such as four-plexes and cottage courts will be introduced, aiming to blend with existing neighborhoods while providing affordable options for middle-income families. Key features include standards for neighborhood compatibility, outdoor space and initiatives to maintain affordable housing for vulnerable residents. The ordinance will take effect on October 17, with plans to evaluate its impact before considering it for permanent adoption. (See related CP&DR coverage.)
Huntington Beach Approves Large Development on Former Industrial Site in Coastal Zone
Traditionally resistant to new housing, Huntington Beach City Council approved a controversial mixed-use development project including 200 homes, a 50-unit affordable housing complex, a 215 room hotel and 19,000 square feet of retail space on 29 acres that previously housed three large oil tanks. The project, in planning stages since 2016, will break ground in mid-2025 since receiving the necessary approvals from local and state agencies, including the Coastal Commission. However, some community and environmental groups oppose the project, citing concerns about flooding, proximity to a landfill and the site's location on an earthquake fault. The investment firm behind the project disputes the claims, asserting the site is properly monitored and elevation improvements will mitigate flood risks. Concurrently, Huntington Beach faces legal issues regarding state housing requirements as it continues to struggle with mandates to increase housing. (See related CP&DR coverage.)
AIDS Healthcare Settles Class-Action Suit over Skid Row Properties
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) reached a settlement of $575,000 in a class-action lawsuit by current and former tenants of a Skid Row apartment building suing over unsafe living conditions. The agreement, announced before opening statements, also includes AHF refunding tenants 25% of rent since 2017, hiring elevator consultants and pest control experts and committing to general improvements. The settlement comes during AHF's campaign for Proposition 33, the latest of three statewide rent-control initiatives that it has sponsored, drawing criticism for prioritizing campaign funding over building maintenance. AHF's president stated the organization invested significant resources in improving the building in addition to stressing the need for broader affordable housing solutions.
CP&DR Coverage: Elk Grove Loses Big in Housing Cases
A controversial supportive housing project has been relocated out of Old Town Elk Grove – but the city will now be subject to increased scrutiny by the state Department of Housing and Community Development. That’s the end result of the settlement of two lawsuits brought against Elk Grove – one by the developer and one by the state – after the city denied the project by claiming that a ground-floor retail requirement in Old Town, while an “objective standard” under SB 35, was “unwaivable” under state Density Bonus Law. On September 4, in a high-profile press conference attended by both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, the state announced its own settlement – which was clearly intended as a warning to other cities that run afoul of state housing law.
Quick Hits & Updates
A $1.5 billion initiative to expand the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County has fallen apart after years of planning and investment, representing a significant setback for water storage expansion in Northern California amid worsening droughts. The project faced rising costs and regulatory challenges, particularly regarding environmental protections for the endangered Delta smelt, which complicated the financial agreements among the eight partnering water agencies.
A judge ruled against Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla in his yearslong legal battle over public access to Martins Beach, allowing a lawsuit from state agencies to proceed to trial. The California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission argue that Khosla has been illegally restricting access to the beach since 2010, when he purchased the property and locked the gate. The trial is scheduled for April and could result in Khosla being required to remove no trespassing signs and the gate blocking access. This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting tensions between private property rights and public access to California's beaches.
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded an $893.3 million grant to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a new light rail line in the East San Fernando Valley, which will span 6.7 miles and include 11 stations serving communities like Van Nuys and Pacoima. Expected to open in 2031, this project aims to restore train service to the area for the first time in 70 years, with a focus on community engagement and local hiring, while promoting sustainability through a solar power system to meet maintenance facility energy needs.
The Berkeley City Council approved an agreement with BART to develop hundreds of apartments, including over a third designated as affordable, at the Ashby BART station. The deal allows BART to utilize the west parking lot for construction while Berkeley will lease a smaller lot for development, although concerns were raised about the limited affordable housing and the potential displacement of Black residents in South Berkeley.
The Port San Luis Harbor District is studying the potential for an offshore wind operations and maintenance port in San Luis Obispo Bay in collaboration with Clean Energy Terminals, with a feasibility study expected to take six to 18 months. While some community members support the project for its economic benefits and renewable energy goals, others express concerns about environmental impacts and disruptions to the character of Avila Beach.
Long Beach has launched the "Backyard Builders Program" to encourage homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their properties, offering low- to zero-interest loans of up to $250,000, provided the units are rented to low-income individuals for at least five years. While this initiative aims to increase affordable housing, concerns have been raised about the potential eviction of tenants after the rental period and the need for more tenant protections, prompting advocacy groups to call for additional support for displaced renters.
Edwards Air Force Base has broken ground on the Air Force's first commercial apartment complex. This initiative aims to address longstanding housing challenges for service members, particularly the difficulties of commuting from off-base residences and will be managed by the Secretary, which has experience with privatized housing on military installations.
San Diego Airport's Terminal 1 project has received an additional $26.3 million federal grant, bringing the total federal funding for the nearly $4 billion redevelopment to $192.1 million. The grant will support the construction of new aprons and a taxiway, as well as noise mitigation measures, with the first phase of the new terminal set to open by late summer next year and the entire project, including 22 new gates, expected to complete by early 2028.
