Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends certain state housing and transportation accommodations and developments.

Highlights:

• Defines “eligible parcel” as a parcel that meets the following requirements, including (Sec. 2):

• The parcel is not located on a coastal zone site, unless the local agency has a population of 50,000 or more;

• The development of the project on the proposed parcel would not require the demolition or alteration of housing that is:

• Subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law restricting rent to affordable levels for moderate, low, or very low income families;

• Subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power; or

• Occupied by tenants within the 7 years preceding the date of the application; and

• The development of the project on the proposed parcel would not require the demolition of a historic structure.

• Defines “local agency” as a city, including a charter city, a county, including a charter county, or a city and county, including a charter city and county (Sec. 2).

• Defines “neighborhood multifamily project” as a project to construct a multifamily structure of up to 4 residential dwelling units that meet a series of specific requirements (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes a development proponent of a multifamily project on an eligible parcel to submit an application for a development to be subject to a streamlined, ministerial approval process while not being subject to a conditional use permit (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits a local agency from imposing automobile parking standards for a streamlined development approved pursuant to this section (Sec. 3).

• Requires a local government, on and after January 1, 2023, upon request of a development proponent, to grant an equitable communities incentive when the development proponent seeks and agrees to construct a multifamily residential development that satisfies the necessary requirements (Sec. 4).

• Requires an eligible applicant that proposes a residential development within a county that has a population over 600,000, to receive an equitable communities incentive as follows (Sec. 4):

• If the residential development is a transit rich or job rich housing project, the applicant will receive:

• A waiver from maximum controls on density; and

• A waiver from minimum automobile parking requirements greater than 0.5 automobile parking spots per unit;

• If the residential development is located within a one-half mile radius, but outside a one-quarter mile radius, of a major transit stop, the applicant will receive waivers from:

• Maximum height requirements less than 45 feet;

• Any requirement governing the relationship between the size of the parcel and the area that the building may occupy that would restrict the floor area ratio (FAR) of less than 2.5; and

• Any minimum automobile parking requirement; and

• If the residential development is located within a one-quarter mile radius of a major transit stop, the applicant will receive waivers from:

• Maximum height requirements less than 55 feet;

• Any requirement governing the relationship between the size of the parcel and the area that the building may occupy that would restrict the FAR of less than 3.25; and

• Any minimum automobile parking requirement. 

• Requires an eligible applicant that proposes a residential development within a county that has a population less than or equal to 600,000, to receive an equitable communities incentive as follows (Sec. 4):

• A waiver from maximum controls on density;

• A waiver from maximum height limitations less than or equal to one story, or 15 feet, above the highest allowable height for mixed use or residential use;

• Any requirement governing the relationship between the size of the parcel and the area that the building may occupy that would restrict the structure to a FAR of less than 0.6 times the number of stories proposed for the project; and

• A waiver from minimum automobile parking requirements under certain conditions.

• Specifies that certain requirements highlighted in this bill will not apply to a potentially sensitive community, on or before July 1, 2023 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text