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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion and, if Desired, Recommendation of a City Council Position on SB 79 and/or AB 609 Regarding Housing Development; and (2) Direction to Distribute the City's Position Letter(s) to State Legislators.
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Meeting Date: May 27, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager's Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [ ]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/22/2025)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (05/21/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss and, if desired, recommend a position statement on SB 79 and/or AB 609; and (2) direct the distribution of the City's position letter(s) to state legislators.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the March 17, 2025 City Council Meeting, Council Member Fish discussed supporting state legislation to increase housing capacity across California, and he received consensus from Vice Mayor Puza and Council Member McMorrin to agendize consideration of support for SB 79 (Wiener) Local government land: public transit use: housing development: transit-oriented development. As amended on May 13, 2025. (Attachment 1) Additionally, staff is seeking input regarding AB 609 (Wicks) California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: housing development projects. As Amended on May 5, 2025. (Attachment 2)
According to the City's Legislative and Policy Platform (Platform) adopted by the City Council on November 11, 2024, if the potential City Council position poses a conflict between two or more Platform goals or those of City departments, staff will bring the item to the City Council for direction. These bills would streamline the housing approval process, which is consistent with the City's housing goals. However, one of the Platform's Gui...
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