Don't let the Governor take away our voice!

For decades, California has had laws that gave the public a voice to ensure that community and environmental impacts are considered before developments projects are approved.

Now, the Governor has introduced a sweeping proposal that would let developers cut corners and enable housing projects to be hastily approved. Trailer bill 707 would allow housing developments to be built “by-right.” This means no public oversight and no local government review. And rather than helping California during the housing crunch, the proposal could undermine existing, local affordable housing goals.

Tell legislators to stand with us and say no to developers who want to take away our public or environmental voice!

California needs policies that spur good developments - especially low income and affordable housing - in a way that supports existing middle class jobs, strengthens the democratic process, and protects the health and safety of our communities.

Sadly, this proposal does nothing to truly address the housing crisis in California. It only gives developers special exemptions at the expense of working families, the environment, and tenant protections.

In fact, it makes things worse by directly undermining existing local affordable housing goals—putting communities and our environment at risk.

Join us and over 60 other organizations including the Sierra Club, and Tenants Together who together represent over 2 million working families in racially and economically diverse urban areas across California to say, “Don’t take away our voice!”

Transparency, full disclosure and a public voice are among the few tools that everyday Californians have to make sure that pollution and other impacts are minimized before developments are approved.

Want to learn more and stay updated on this important issue? You can follow Californians Against Profiteering on Facebook!

In solidarity,

IBEW 569

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Write To Rep. Toni G. Atkins

Write To Sen. Marty Block

Your Letter

I write to express my strong opposition to the Budget Trailer Bill affordable housing proposal also known as the “by right” proposal. While the proposal is an attempt to fix the ongoing problem of a lack of available affordable housing, it does it in a way that takes away local control from municipal leaders and citizens on how to shape their communities.

While well intentioned, the proposal is not about providing affordable housing on infill sites in urbanized areas. Instead, the bill would allow development “by right” in undeveloped, unincorporated areas as long as the parcel is adjacent to virtually any existing development. The plan hinders the ability for citizens to shape their local communities by taking away local control and actually reduces affordable housing. I can’t support a proposal that would take away our ability to voice concerns about proposed development plans. 
 
The proposal incorrectly assumes that local governments have already evaluated risks to public health and the environment. General plans and zoning regulations are written with the expectation that individual projects will be reviewed once proposed. That review process is the only way for concerned citizens to point out issues and make comments about proposed development plans. This proposal would take away the ability to ask for and carry out those critical reviews.

This proposal is supposedly meant to help affordable housing, when in fact it is a cover for totally bypassing local review of high-rise luxury condos, commercial development, large scale multi-story residential development, or transit oriented dense development projects with a minimal affordable housing component, using affordable housing as a cover.

Many believe in large part developers are seeking "by right" to avoid paying fair wages to construction workers hoping to bring to urban development the low wage underground economy cash payment contractors that they utilize in residential housing tracks in outlying areas.  Thereby padding their profits by undermining the tax base and economy of California while destroying the livelihood of 400,000 construction workers and their families that drive the economic base of this state.

By preempting the ability of local governments to exercise their judgment to shape development, the proposal exempts even massive developments from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Development “by right” prohibits local governments from performing their historic duties under CEQA to protect their citizens from environmental degradation, urban sprawl, traffic congestion caused by projects and will not allow for adequate review and mitigation of the economic and health effects of proposed developments. The proposal is unprecedented, dangerous, irresponsible and unnecessary.  In fact, a recent survey by the State Office of Planning and Research on jurisdictions statewide that approve infill projects reported that CEQA was not within the top ten issues that slowed development in their jurisdiction.

I strongly urge you to oppose this "By-Right" trailer bill that is akin to legislation demanded by business to deregulate the financial institutions of the United States that took place in 2002.  As you know, this deregulation almost bankrupted our Nation by 2008.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Don't let the Governor take away our voice!

Write To Rep. Toni G. Atkins

Write To Sen. Marty Block

Your Letter