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A Sacramento civil rights group is attempting to wage a major fight against the city’s specific plan for an area including an 84-year-old public housing project. So far, however, the group’s attempts to use the California Environmental Quality Act to promote an alternative plan has failed.

This blog is brought to you courtesy of the paying subscribers to California Planning & Development Report . You can subscribe to CP&DR here . Since 1956, KB Home built over 600,000 homes in California, from San Diego the Bay Area and many places in between. That’s more homes than are in many states. KB and other mega-homebuilders made suburbanization happen and created one of the biggest building booms and population shifts in modern history. They specialized in what we would now call sprawl—vast truck developments of hundreds or thousands of largely identical homes that spread outward from cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, in the Bay Area, to create entire suburbs and entire lifestyles. KB Home, formerly Kaufman and Broad, has been based in Los Angeles since 1963. Last week, the company announced last week that after six decades, it is moving to Phoenix. Why? “To reduce costs and place its employees in a more affordable housing market,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Ponder that for a moment: At the same time that many California families can no longer afford homes in California, home builders  can no longer afford California. The longtime KB Homes headquarters in Westwood Of all the corporate flights that have taken place recently—including poignantly, that of Occidental Petroleum, which was based literally two blocks from KB's building—this one hits hardest. I have a vaguely personal connection to KB Home. As I wrote a few years ago, I grew up a mile and a half from its headquarters. I passed by its building on a regular basis. I went to school with descendants and heirs of the founders. The company seemed just as unbeatable as other corporate giants like MGM, Lockheed, and TK.  KB will maintain a presence in the state. It still has projects underway. But, it’s hard not to say that the company has given up on California--with little reverence for the riches it earned here. However much KB has paid in dividends, the costs faced by its employees and company are probably enormous--certainly compared to those in Phoenix. And, the business model doesn't work in California anymore. We've become a stagnant state, and we are losing population. You don't need a Ph.D. in real estate economics to know that developing real estate business in a place that is shrinking is probably not the best move. There are still places where sprawl works, and KB is still making a go of it, at least for now. Think about places like the high desert—Hesperia and Lancaster. It’s the same model they’ve been using since the Eisenhower administration.  We've been talking big game for at least 20 years about smart growth. And yet, smart growth has proliferated in only minute increments. We have a few high-rise districts, like LA's South Park and downtown San Diego. A few mixed-use apartment buildings, like those in Sacramento's Midtown or maybe Santa Ana. Those are fine. We still haven't built any new places . I can't think of a new city district, or a substantially expanded city that is more pleasant, more humane, or more livable than something built a hundred years ago. Given KB’s capital and know-how, KB could have turned to infill. It could have built places that resemble its own hometown. In fact, they tried. For a hot second, there was something called KB Urban, launched  in 2005. Several other homebuilders tried the same. Unfortunately, they came along at the very moment that the Great Recession hit—which was, of course, a creation of companies like KB Home. It wasn’t a great time to get into infill, and KB Urban’s web page lists all of six multifamily developments. What's ironic about KB, of course, is that its founders were very urban. Particularly Eli Broad, who's known as one of the great benefactors of Los Angeles. He loved this city, and he loved making it better through museums, theaters, and all sorts of charitable donations. At the same time, he was building places—the exact opposite of the place that he lived in and that he nurtured. Now, Eli Broad is gone. And so is his company. (As an aside, I fear that his style of philanthropy, for all the wealth in Los Angeles and California, may be a thing of the past.) Infill developers need big banks and other financiers to be willing to fund some weird new thing that doesn't have a lot of parking or that has ground-floor retail. And that's really hard. But, if you're KB and you have access to capital, do you want to tie it up in projects that take years, that are uncertain, complicated, and do little but raise the wrath of politicians and city staff? The most successful developers in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco are those who have superhuman patience and put in tremendous effort—you might call it an old boys' club. But, really, anyone would grow old trying to get stuff done in Los Angeles. So, you go to Ontario, Hesperia, and, yes, Phoenix. So here we are now—a shrinking state, shrinking in part because of high housing prices caused by shortage, caused in part by the reluctance of companies like KB to build homes and communities, which has been caused largely by regulatory and political indifference and indeed resistance. I don’t want to disparage tract homes; they serve an important purpose, and they were of their time. But I will disparage California’s failure to produce communities pleasant and/or affordable enough to make California worthwhile. If ever there was a sign that California needs to change course, this is it. Or, maybe KB’s departure means that all the new laws passed in Sacramento -- which seem quaint compared to the vitriol and chaos surrounding the current race for governor -- are too late. Once there’s a new sheriff in Sacramento (and I sincerely hope it’s not an actual sheriff) and possibly one in Los Angeles, this state needs to make a new land use ethos its top priority. By “ethos,” I don’t just mean new laws and plans. I mean a collective, communal set of beliefs and goals. I don't have a stake or stock in KB. I'm not going to wish them well in Phoenix, but nor am I going to bid them good riddance. What I do know is that someday they may leave Phoenix, too. Probably not because of over-regulation or lack of demand. But, they may find that the sun that shines there is a lot hotter than the one that shines on Westwood. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-04-14/l-a-s-trailblazing-home-builder-is-latest-to-leave-california

This article is brought to you courtesy of the paying subscribers to  California Planning & Development Report . You can subscribe to  CP&DR  by clicking  here . You can sign up for  CP&DR ’s free weekly newsletter  here . Uncooperative Property Owners Jeopardize Costa Mesa Housing Element Costa Mesa has run  into major setbacks in meeting the state’s housing mandate after several large property owners withdrew their sites from the city’s housing element. These withdrawals, including parcels owned by South Coast Plaza operators and a former 1,050-unit project site, resulted in the loss of about 5,863 potential housing units. The changes were largely prompted by legal uncertainty following a California court ruling that affected how “mixed-use overlay” zoning can be used to count housing capacity. ( CP&DR 's coverage of the overlay case can be found here .) City planners had previously relied on these overlays to show compliance with a state requirement to plan for 11,760 new housing units by 2029, even if many sites were only theoretical. However, property owners argued their land should be removed from the list, saying the new interpretation made future development uncertain. City staff say they will try to identify new sites to make up the shortfall. The City Council approved the amended housing element unanimously, even as some officials criticized state housing rules. State Reaches Agreement with Hollister over Housing Element The City of Hollister reached  a settlement with the State of California over the city’s over two-year delay in adopting a compliant General Plan Housing Element. The city must adopt a compliant 2021–2029 Housing Element and complete required rezoning to reach full compliance by June 19. The city also agreed to establish a housing trust fund and contribute $300,000 to support housing for low-income, very low-income, and vulnerable residents. The city failed to meet state deadlines for planning how it will accommodate its required share of regional housing needs (RHNA). State officials emphasized that housing elements are essential for addressing affordability and homelessness, and that cities must actively plan for housing growth rather than delay it. (See related CP&DR coverage .) Updated ADU Handbook Seeks to Streamline Development of Backyard Units Statewide The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released its 2026 ADU Handbook , an update to the 2025 Handbook outlining California’s ADU laws. Between 2023 and 2026, new legislation focused on removing local barriers, speeding approvals, and making rules more consistent across cities and counties. Local governments are now generally limited to using only objective, clearly measurable standards when reviewing ADU applications, reducing denials due to personal and subjective judgment. Permit agencies must act faster, including determining application completeness within 15 business days and approving or denying completed applications within 60 days in many cases. The laws also expanded what can be built by allowing ADUs in detached garages, increasing allowable heights, protecting the right to build at least an 800-square-foot ADU under certain standards, and reducing parking replacement requirements. Owner-occupancy rules were loosened, with ADUs no longer requiring owner occupancy in most cases, while JADUs have more specific occupancy rules depending on shared facilities. Fees were reduced or limited for smaller ADUs and JADUs, making them more affordable to construct. California Hit by Decline in International Immigration U.S. Census data shows  a sharp decline in international migration, with large urban counties and the border most affected. Los Angeles experienced a loss of nearly 54,000 residents and net immigration of -67% compared to the previous year, while San Diego County lost about 5,300 people. El Centro, an area that has historically served as a gateway to California, lost more people to other countries than it gained. The U.S. population still grew by 1.8 million people last year, but low birth rates and immigration led to one of the slowest population growth rates in U.S. history. Among 75% of all U.S. counties, overall population growth including immigration, domestic migration, births and deaths either slowed or declined. (See related CP&DR coverage .) CP&DR Coverage: SB 79 Cleanup Leads 2026 Legislative Agenda A revision  to SB 79 that could expand its reach appears to be barreling through the Legislature quickly right now. Passed last year, SB 79 requires midrise zoning around major transit stations in urban counties, though cities are allowed to move the required density around in the vicinity of the station. Beyond that, the 2026 legislative session doesn’t appear to be shaping up to be as dramatic as 2025, with one possible exception. The exception is the so-called Building an Affordable California Act, or BACA – the proposed ballot initiative put forth by the California Chamber of Commerce that would make significant changes to the California Environmental Quality Act. The Chamber will likely move forward with the initiative – unless business interests are primarily focused on using it to gain leverage for changes to CEQA during the legislative session. Quick Hits & Updates A former Greyhound bus station in downtown Bakersfield, long known for its neglect and criminal activity, is being redeveloped  into a new upscale apartment complex called Greyhound Flats. The station, built in 1958 after major earthquakes damaged the city, became infamous over the decades for criminal incidents and was eventually demolished in 2022 after Greyhound service moved elsewhere. San Diego Unified School District is moving forward with a plan to redevelop six district-owned properties into nearly 3,000 housing units, mainly to help teachers and staff afford living in the region. The current projection far exceeds the district’s official goal to house 10% of its workforce by 2030, which would require about 1,350 units, in case of stalling issues like those at other public developments like Seaport Village and Midway Rising. The San Ramon City Council unanimously rejected  an appeal that sought to stop the massive Orchards redevelopment project, clearing the way for Sunset Development to move forward on a 144-acre former Chevron campus at Bishop Ranch. Plans call for about 2,600 homes, 125,000 square feet of retail space, a 2.5-acre park, and a greenway connection to the Iron Horse Trail. The appeal argued that the city failed to properly follow CEQA and had not properly analyzed traffic impacts, but city leaders said proper legal procedures were followed. YIMBY Law is appealing  a Marin County Superior Court decision that upheld Sausalito’s housing element to clarify whether California cities must complete an Environmental Impact Report for Housing Elements. Sausalito adopted its Housing Element before finishing an Environmental Impact Report, which it eventually completed, but the appeal argues that court did not rule on whether such review is legally required in the first place. The group argues that inconsistent rules across cities create uncertainty, delays, and higher costs because environmental review may get pushed from the planning stage onto individual housing projects instead. San Diego’s City Council Rules Committee voted  unanimously to advance a proposed ballot measure that would tax vacant second homes. The measure would impose an $8,000 annual tax on homes left unoccupied more than 182 days a year, rising to $10,000 thereafter, with an additional surcharge of up to $5,000 for corporate-owned properties. The U.S. General Services Administration announced  the sale of the Chet Holifield Federal Building in Laguna Niguel, California to global real estate firm CBRE as part of a campaign to reduce a ‘bloated’ federal real estate portfolio. The 90-acre property is home to the 1 million square foot Mesopotamian-inspired  ‘Ziggurat’ building. The LA Metro Board has allocated  an additional $3.9 million toward study and design of San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments’ bus rapid transit, bringing the total so far to $8 million. The money funds outreach, environmental clearance processes, and finalizing designs. Eventual construction of the project is already funded by $635 million courtesy of Metro’s Measure M. More than $100 million in state transportation grants for projects in Boyle Heights, Skid Row and Wilmington are at risk because City of Los Angeles officials say  they lack sufficient staff to complete the work. The funding issues stem from last year’s $1 billion city budget shortfall, which led to departmental cuts and the elimination of vacant positions in agencies such as engineering and transportation. Planned improvements include new sidewalks, protected bike lanes and high-visibility crosswalks in some of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. Sacramento Republic FC and Wilton Rancheria, the federally recognized tribe that owns the team, will build  a 20,000-seat stadium at the Railyards in Sacramento, expected to open in 2028. The venue will serve as a major sports and entertainment hub, hosting soccer matches, concerts, and large events. The project is part of a broader redevelopment effort aimed at transforming the Railyards area and boosting the local economy. A new report  from the Streets For All shows how LA County can leverage property value increases within two miles of stations to capture land value and fund nearly all High Speed Rail projects inside the county. The report suggests that the county could make $15-23B in net present revenue by accelerating property appreciation.

The City of Chino  (pop. 93,000) is located where Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties converge. Reporting to the City Manager/Assistant City Manager, the Director of Development Services oversees Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Accessibility, Housing, and a Permit Center. The Department is supported by an FY 25-26 operating budget of $10.2 million and 37 dedicated professionals. This is a unique opportunity to help guide the future of a dynamic and growing community, balancing development opportunities with thoughtful planning that protects community character. The City of Chino seeks a highly experienced and collaborative community development professional with a strong understanding of land use planning and entitlement processes and a business-friendly approach. Experience in process improvement and innovation with a customer focused mindset  is essential. The City also seeks an engaged leader who can build strong teams, support staff development, and foster a positive workplace culture.   Candidates will have six years of progressively responsible administrative experience in municipal current and advanced planning , including four years in a management capacity, and a  bachelor’s degree.   Salary goes up to $246,419 annually,  DOQE, supplemented by attractive benefits. Visit www.tbcrecruiting.com  for the latest info and to apply online before the closing date of Sunday, May 10, 2026.     Tina White ·  619.948.1786 TERI BLACK & CO., LLC www.tbcrecruiting.com

In a high-profile controversy, a condominium owner obtained a city permit from the City of Carlsbad to build a junior accessory dwelling unit – then began construction in a way that dug into the foundation of a six-unit townhome structure. He claimed that because his townhome is a single-family residence, he was protected under a state law – Civil Code §4751 – that prohibits homeowner associations from barring ADUs and JADUs in single-family areas.

It’s not surprising that Santa Cruz County – long a center of slow-growth sentiment – is struggling to comply with the state’s new housing laws. But in a bit of a twist, litigation on recent projects has emerged from both developers and neighbors, involving two different projects proposed by the same developer in the unincorporated community of Live Oak. Both involve builder’s remedy approval of large apartment projects.

The Department of Housing and Community Development surprised 15 mostly small jurisdictions around the state with a “Notice of Violation” – a final warning to adopt their overdue housing elements or face dire consequences, including lawsuits from Attorney General Rob Bonta and heavy fines for non-compliant housing elements, which are allowed under SB 1037 from 2024.

This article is brought to you courtesy of the paying subscribers to  California Planning & Development Report . You can subscribe to  CP&DR  by clicking  here . You can sign up for  CP&DR ’s free weekly newsletter  here . New Coastal Commission Strategic Plan Emphasizes Housing The Coastal Commission unanimously adopted  its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, which lays out five goals, 15 objectives, and 72 specific actions to protect and enhance the coast over the next five years. The plan is organized around five core goals: ensuring coastal access for all; planning for resilient communities; improving external engagement and communication; protecting coastal resources; and building a resilient organization. In light of claims that the commission has impeded the development of housing, the plan pledges to "advocate for climate-smart policies that address housing needs, particularly affordable housing needs... expand early coordination efforts with state partners on priority housing, transportation, and other infrastructure projects.... [and] coordinate with local governments and HCD on implementing housing projects and aligning LCPs with state housing policies." Other actions focus on equity and inclusion, addressing climate concerns such as sea levels and coastal resilience, and a commitment to using tribal and community input in decision-making. Land Trust Seeks Purchase of Defunct East Bay Racetrack Golden Gate Fields, a horse racing track that closed in 2024 after more than 80 years of operation, could become  a major new public park. The nonprofit Trust for Public Land has agreed to purchase the 161-acre property for $175 million and transfer it to the East Bay Regional Park District, which will contribute $20 million from a 2008 bond measure. About three-quarters of the property sits in Albany, with the remainder in Berkeley. Both cities have zoning that restrict the development of housing on the site. Albany designates it a "waterfront district," and, per a 1990 ballot measure, voters in Albany would have to approve any zoning changes. If completed, the project would expand shoreline access, restore ecosystems, and provide recreational space for hundreds of thousands of residents along the Bay’s eastern shore. Officials estimate the project could take about five years to open, with funding potentially coming from public and private sources, including a 2024 climate bond. (See related CP&DR coverage .) San Diego Pushes Legislation to Advance Midway Rising Project Introduced at the behest of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Senate Bill 958 aims  to shield the controversial Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego from legal challenges under the CEQA. The current plan for the 49.2 acre property includes 4,254 total residential units in 105-foot-tall residential buildings, a 16,000-seat replacement arena that is 165 feet in height, 130,000 square feet of commercial space, 8.1 acres of parks, and another 6.4 acres of plazas and public space. Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, who authored the bill, argues that the project qualifies for exemption because of its significance to the city’s economy and landscape. (See related CP&DR coverage .) ABAG Adopts 25-Year Vision for Bay Area The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) officially adopted  Plan Bay Area 2050+ and approved its EIR, finalizing the blueprint for transportation, housing, economic resilience, and sustainability. The plan was also unanimously approved by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), concluding a nearly three-year process that included input from over 17,600 residents, community organizations, advocacy groups and public sector partners. Plan Bay Area 2050+ focuses heavily on increasing affordable housing, reducing the cost of living, and improving public transit especially in Equity Priority Communities. Climate resilience strategies in the plan address threats like sea level rise and wildfires. The plan also introduces Transit 2050+, a coordinated effort with regional transit agencies to reimagine and improve public transportation systems across the Bay Area. CP&DR Coverage: Roundup of Federal Housing Bills Both the Senate and the House have passed  housing bill with bipartisan support. And while neither bill is likely to become law in its current form – there is a dispute over whether to place restrictions on investors who build so-called “build to rent” housing projects – some housing bill could still pass, with implications for local planners in California. The Senate passed the Road To Housing Act, and the House passed the Housing for the 21 st  Century Act in February. It’s unclear when – or even whether – a housing bill will pass Congress and be signed into law by President Trump. But both the bills are unusual in that they attracted overwhelming bipartisan support and the odds of a bill passing eventually are good even the current Senate bill does not fly in the House. Obviously, the federal government’s role in the regulation of land use is limited. Nevertheless, the bills contain provisions that seek to indirectly affect land-use regulations in a way that would increase the overall supply of housing. Quick Hits & Updates The December 2025 Transportation Trends Update from the Southern California Association of Governments   reports  that transit use and vehicle miles traveled have continued recovering toward pre‑pandemic levels, with bus ridership leading the rebound while commuter rail trails behind. Overall travel behavior continues to be shaped by remote work, which has kept vehicle miles and demand below historic norms. Four months after the Beverly Hills  Planning Commission rejected the project, the City Council voted to approve  a controversial 26-story high-rise project. The development, proposed under California’s “Builder’s Remedy” law, will include 200 housing units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. City officials determined they were legally required to approve the project despite pushback about its height, density and design. (See related CP&DR coverage .) Oakland   released  a draft of its second phase of its General Plan update, focusing on land use, transportation, and infrastructure. It builds on earlier adopted elements like the Downtown Specific Plan, which addressed housing, jobs, and infrastructure in key areas. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. An Australian mining company is exploring  the potential to extract rare earths metals near Joshua Tree National Park in the Pinto Mountains. Dateline Resources Ltd.’s proposed site lies within a Mojave desert tortoise critical habitat, raising concerns about environmental damage. The company says historical samples suggest valuable heavy rare earth elements used in clean electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense systems. The U.S.  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s  proposal to allow fracking on up to 16 wells off the coast of Ventura is being challenged  by Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta claims that the government failed to document an official national energy emergency justifying the suspension of the environmental review process, and that these wells would violate a federal court ruling. The federal agency is basing their proposal on a January 2025 executive order in which President Trump declared a national energy emergency. The Great Redwood Trail Agency approved  its Great Redwood Trail Master Plan for 231 miles of trail across Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt counties. The project will convert the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad corridor into part of a 300+ mile multi-use trail stretching from the Bay Area to Humboldt Bay. The introduction of a San Francisco ordinance amends  the health code, police code, business and tax code, and planning code to enable cannabis retailers to prepare and serve food and non-alcoholic beverages at cannabis lounges. The ordinance will also enable the creation of cafes where cannabis can be sold only for on-site consumption, and implement a phased rollout where initially only existing cannabis retailers can open new cannabis cafes. Stanford Medicine is planning  a large cancer center on its Redwood City campus, including a hospital, research labs, outpatient facilities, and parking across a 35-acre site. The early plan features multiple new buildings connected by enclosed bridges and would exceed current height limits. To proceed, Redwood City would need to amend its precise plan and general plan, followed by environmental review and public hearings that could take years. A study found  that moving to a more walkable city can increase people’s physical activity by about 1,100 additional steps per day, or roughly 11 extra minutes of walking. The research analyzed smartphone data from more than 2 million people and tracked over 5,000 individuals who moved between 1,600 U.S. cities. It rated West Hollywood the fourth most walkable among 1,600 cities included in the study. Sacramento  voters may see a half-cent tax that is expected to generate  an estimated $70 million a year for street safety improvements and expanded public transit service. The “Safe Streets and Affordable Transit Measure,” filed Feb. 20 with the Sacramento City Clerk’s Office, would fund road maintenance, pedestrian and bicycle safety projects and transit operations. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board approved  the extension of the K Line from Redondo Beach to the Torrance Transit Center on an elevated guideway along the 405 and along Hawthorne Boulevard. The project will add about 4.5 miles of new light rail and include two new stations, giving riders an estimated 19-minute trip.

By Josh Stephens

The housing element/builder’s remedy battles continue around the state, as the Department of Housing and Community Development has revoked the housing element certification of the wealthy peninsula town of Portola Valley. HCD said Portola Valley was not making sufficient progress toward the upzoning called for in the housing element.

The Department of Housing & Communty Development has signed off on Beverly Hills’ housing element, possibly ending one of the most contentious housing element disputes in the state.