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Tech Entrepreneur Envisions Idyllic, Italian-Inspired Town in Wine Country
A new development project called "Esmeralda" is proposed for a 267-acre site near Cloverdale in Sonoma County, following failed attempt to build a resort on the same site, which was once a lumber mill. The Esmeralda Land Company envisions a tech-inspired community resembling a rustic Italian village, aimed at attracting residents seeking a blend of rural charm and modern amenities. The project is being promoted by Devon Zeugel, a former software engineer and tech entrepreneur, who announced his vision on X recently. Zugel, who refers to Esmerelda as "a modern Chautauqua," shared no details about the intended popularion or number of housing units, instead focusing on five design principles: 1. Support a multi-generational community; 2. Prioritize pedestrians & cyclists over cars; 3. Cultivate a culture of learning & building; 4. Protect & harmonize with nature; 5. Promote health & wellness. The project has garnered both enthusiasm and skepticism, with local officials expressing cautious optimism about its potential economic benefits for Cloverdale. The development would be under the jurisdiction of the City of Cloverdale, which will have to approve the zoning and development agreement.
San Francisco Institutes Protections for Legacy Businesses
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors adopted interim measures to protect legacy businesses from eviction amid proposed rezoning that could raise building heights on many commercial corridors. For the next 18 months, property owners must secure conditional use authorization to fill or demolish spaces previously occupied by businesses operating for 30 years or more. This legislation, initiated by Supervisor Aaron Peskin, responds to concerns about recent property acquisitions threatening established neighborhood businesses. City officials are also considering requiring developers to provide relocation assistance to impacted businesses. While the Small Business Commission supports these protections, it warns they might deter new businesses from moving into legacy spaces, potentially increasing vacancies. Recommendations for future legislation include allowing legacy businesses to take over former legacy spaces without additional barriers and ensuring they have the first right of refusal if faced with displacement.
Irvine Adopts Zoning for 15,000 Homes against Airport Land Use Commission's Wishes
The Irvine City Council voted to proceed with plans to zone for up to 15,000 homes near John Wayne Airport, overriding concerns from the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission. This decision was necessary to meet a state-imposed deadline for updating housing plans, avoiding potential penalties for the city. Despite a lack of discussion before the vote, some residents supported the development, highlighting the existing urban intensity around the airport. Only Councilman Larry Agran opposed the zoning change, citing environmental and safety concerns linked to the proposed high-density housing. Meanwhile, other city officials defended the move, arguing that delays in housing development create a cycle of inaction. The city has been in communication with various agencies regarding these housing plans, which are part of a broader effort to address housing needs in the area.
California Rep. Introduces Federal Bill to Support Housing in Rural Areas
U.S. Representatives introduced the bipartisan Rural Homeownership Continuity Act earlier this month, targeting the housing affordability crisis in rural California. This legislation aims to allow families in areas like the San Joaquin Valley to secure federal loans at lower interest rates by facilitating loan assumptions, thus easing financial burdens and promoting stability in communities. Costa emphasized that the act could strengthen rural communities by making homeownership more attainable, which is crucial given the ongoing challenges residents face. LaMalfa highlighted the need to remove bureaucratic barriers that hinder low-income residents from achieving homeownership amid rising housing costs. Overall, the act seeks to improve access to affordable housing, which is critical for many California families struggling to find suitable living conditions.
CP&DR Coverage: Planners Consider Consequences of California's Population Loss
The Southern California Association of Governments convenes its annual Demographics Summit to help its member jurisdictions understand the trends they are facing. This year’s summit had an overwhelming, and overwhelmingly compelling, thesis: the state’s population is stagnating. For the first time pretty much since 1848. The reasons center partly on out-migration, of largely middle-income folks who seek lower costs of living in places like Nevada and Texas; that trend is complemented by lack of in-migration, caused largely by California’s prohibitive housing costs. Arguably, the stronger force lies in a trend commonly ascribed to developed countries but that is, in fact, sweeping the majority of the globe: plummeting birth rates. A whole lot is going to happen in Southern California, and, likely, statewide until widespread population loss really takes hold.
Quick Hits & Updates
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) received two Awards of Merit from National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials for two community initiatives: the transformation of Vera Cruz Village into affordable housing for 28 formerly homeless individuals, and HACSB's PBC Summer Program, which supports high school students with college readiness and cultural empowerment, showcasing the agency's commitment to addressing local housing challenges and community needs.
A new study out of UCLA found a notable disparity in homeownership demand, with majority non-white neighborhoods seeing loan applications that are over twice as high as those in majority white areas. Additionally, Black and Latino homebuyers face more obstacles in securing mortgages, often encountering higher denial rates and expensive loan options, highlighting the need for policy reforms that address rising housing costs and promote equitable access to financing.
A land acquisition will preserve significant hiking areas in Northern California, including three miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, covering 7,000 acres in the southern Klamath Mountains. The deal, facilitated by the Trust for Public Land, involves a $5.3 million purchase for half of the property, with additional funding expected from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for the rest and aims to restore ecological health by addressing former logging impacts before integrating the land into the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has filed a federal lawsuit against the Coastal Commission after the agency rejected a plan for 50 rocket launches this year, claiming the commission overstepped its authority and discriminated against Musk's political views. Tensions have escalated as the commission raises concerns about environmental impacts from increased launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base, while SpaceX argues that its activities should be classified as federal, exempting them from state regulation.
Phillips 66 has engaged Catellus Development and Deca to help redevelop its 650-acre Los Angeles Refinery complex, which is set to close next year, marking one of the largest available industrial land parcels near the Port of Los Angeles. Potential future uses for the site include an industrial campus with logistics warehouses or residential developments, particularly on the Wilmington parcel, though any new housing would likely need to be upscale to be financially viable.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development published a comprehensive guide aimed at preserving affordable housing throughout the state, detailing relevant laws and legal obligations. This resource addresses key topics such as notifications for expiring assistance, the sale process for affordable properties and outreach efforts, while also emphasizing protections that ensure transparency and long-term affordability.
Caltrans is advancing efforts to remove Interstate 980, which has been criticized for its negative impact on the predominantly Black community of West Oakland, by conducting a survey as part of its Vision 980 Study. The initiative, supported by a $680,000 federal grant, aims to explore replacing the freeway with a more community-friendly street to reconnect West Oakland with the rest of the city and address the historical injustices caused by its construction.
San Francisco is exploring the feasibility of constructing a gondola system to transport people from the Forest Hill Light Rail Station to Laguna Honda Hospital, aiming to address challenges in navigating the steep terrain. The San Francisco County Transportation Authority has allocated $170,000 for a study to evaluate this project, with the potential for similar systems in other areas of the city, as officials seek alternatives to current transportation methods that contribute to pollution.
A new USC study highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to address the unequal distribution of trees in Los Angeles, particularly in under-canopied areas like South L.A., where historical discrimination has led to significant disparities. Despite community leaders recognizing the benefits of trees for public health and identity, budget cuts to the city's Urban Forestry Division threaten progress, underscoring the complexity of integrating urban greening with other pressing social issues like homelessness and gentrification.
