The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About _ 4.1(b)--Letter of Opposition for Senate Bill 79 � � �' � � � � � � ' � �' � � ' � ` CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 15,2025 FROM: Jason Gibilisco, Management ITEIVI NO. 4.1(b) Assistant to the City M�anager ***APPROVED BY*** � 1as� � �� ,.�u �n��ra� d. ,.av�ant t�J tE��'�ty�1a�:�qzur �','�"Lk�� ' Ip�ti2,�'I � ��2 L ��`�z'��{}°7.: jgibilisco@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 4.1(b)--Letter of Opposition for Senate Bi1179 Recommendation Authorize and approve the following: (1) Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to Senate Bill 79 (Wiener), which undermines state-certified housing elements and grants land use authority to transit agencies; and (2) Authorize staff to present future letters of support or opposition regarding legislation to the Mayor for consideration, specifically those that propose the removal of, or seek protections for, local control over land use, housing policies, or the ability to bypass local zoning Fiscal Impact There is no direct fiscal impacti to the General Fund as a result of sending the attached letter or future letters of opposition or support. Alternative Action The City Council (Council) could decline to authorize the Mayor to send the letter and provide direction to staff. Backg�ound/AnaZysis Senate Bill (SB) 79 requires cities to ministerially approve higher density residential projects near publie transit stops, regardless of zoning. This bill limits the use of local zoning standards and gives transit agencies full land use authority over residential and commercial development on property they own or lease. Report to Redding City Council Apri18,20Z5 Re: 4.1(b)--Letter of Opposition for Senate Bi1179 Page 2 The bill significantly limits local control over land use deeisions by allowing transit agencies to have full authority over residential and commercial development on properties they own or lease. In essence, SB 79 overrides the state's own mandated local housing elements, which are designed to ensure that housing development aligns with the specific needs and priorities of individual communities. SB 79 bypasses traditional processes, including environmental reviews and public input, which have long been integral to the planning and development of urban areas. Staff is also asking for approval to present future letters of support or opposition on legislation to the Mayor that disregard or support local control over land use, housing polices, or the ability to bypass local zoning standards. Staff is usually made aware of state legislation as bills move through the legislative review process. Allowing staff to present bi1]s directly to the Mayor, outside of the usual Council approval may allow for a timelier response to the authors and committees prior to the hearings, without the potential delay in waiting to submit to Council for review and approval. Environmental Review This is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore no further action is required. Council Prior�ity/City Manage� Goals • Government of the 21St Century — `Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today's residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today." Attachments ^SB 79 - Letter of opposistion +� I T Y �- �ITY �� dC�l1�1� � =- ---� �77 Cypress Avenu�, Reddir��, CA �60(�1 "� -' PCJ �C�X 4��{��1, F��dcl�nc�, CA ��04J-�071 C L ( � � ��" ei�yofre�dir�g.c+rc� . ,,`�� W�WIWIW�WN4IVVII�Y Jack Munns,Mayor jmunns@cityofredding.org 530.225.4447 April 15, 2025 The IIonorable Scott Wiener Senator, California State Senate 1021 O St, Suite 8620 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 79 (Wiener) Transit-oriented Development Notice of Opposition Dear Senator Wiener, The City of Redding writes to express our strong opposition to your SB 79 (Wiener), which would disregard state-certified housing elements and bestow land use authority to transit agencies without any requirement that developers build housing, let alone affordable housing. SB 79 doubles down on the recent trend of the state overriding its own mandated 1oca1 housing elements. This latest overreaching effort forces cities to approve transit-oriented development projects near specified transit stops—up to seven stories high and a density of 120 homes per acre—without regard to the community's needs, environmental review, or public input. Most alarmingly, SB 79 defies cities' general plans and provides transit agencies unlimited land use authority on property they own or have a permanent easement, regardless of the distance from a transit stop. Transit agencies would have the power to determine all aspects of the development including height, density, and design, without any regard to local zoning or planning. This broad new authority applies to both residential and commercial development. Transit agencies could develop 100% commercial projects—even at transit stops—and not provide a single new home, while simultaneously making the argument that more housing must be constructed around transit stops. The City of Redding appreciates and respects your desire to pursue a housing production proposal. However, as currently drafted, SB 79 wi11 not spur much-needed housing construction in a manner that supports local flexibility, decision-making, and community input. State-driven ministerial or by-right housing approval processes fail to recognize the extensive public engagement associated with developing and adopting zoning ordinances and housing elements. California will never produce the number of homes needed with an increasingly state-driven,by-right housing approval process. What we really need is a sustainable state investment that matches the scale of this decades-in-the-making crisis. For these reasons, the City of Redding strongly opposes SB 79. Sincerely, Jack Munns City of Redding Mayor cc. The Honorable Megan Dahle (via email) The Honorable Heather Hadwick(via email) League Regional Public Affairs Manager(via email) League of California Cities, cityletters@calcities.org +� I T Y �- �ITY �� dC�l1�1� � =- ---� �77 Cypress Avenu�, Reddir��, CA �60(�1 "� -' PCJ �C�X 4��{��1, F��dcl�nc�, CA ��04J-�071 C L ( � � ��" ei�yofre�dir�g.c+rc� . ,,`�� W�WIWIW�WN4IVVII�Y Jack Munns,Mayor jmunns@cityofredding.org 530.225.4447 April 15, 2025 The IIonorable Scott Wiener Senator, California State Senate 1021 O St, Suite 8620 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 79 (Wiener) Transit-oriented Development Notice of Opposition Dear Senator Wiener, The City of Redding writes to express our strong opposition to your SB 79 (Wiener), which would disregard state-certified housing elements and bestow land use authority to transit agencies without any requirement that developers build housing, let alone affordable housing. SB 79 doubles down on the recent trend of the state overriding its own mandated 1oca1 housing elements. This latest overreaching effort forces cities to approve transit-oriented development projects near specified transit stops—up to seven stories high and a density of 120 homes per acre—without regard to the community's needs, environmental review, or public input. Most alarmingly, SB 79 defies cities' general plans and provides transit agencies unlimited land use authority on property they own or have a permanent easement,regardless of the distance from a transit stop. Transit agencies would have the power to determine all aspects of the development including height, density, and design, without any regard to local zoning or planning. This broad new authority applies to both residential and commercial development. Transit agencies could develop 100% commercial projects—even at transit stops—and not provide a single new home, while simultaneously making the argument that more housing must be constructed around transit stops. City of Redding appreciates and respects your desire to pursue a housing production proposal. However, as currently drafted, SB 79 will not spur much-needed housing construction in a manner that supports local flexibility, decision-making, and community input. State-driven ministerial or by-rigl�t housing approval processes fail to recognize the extensive public engagement associated with developing and adopting zoning ordinances and housing elements. California will never produce the number of homes needed with an increasingly state-driven,by-right housing approval process. What we really need is a sustainable state investment that matches the scale of this decades-in-the-making crisis. For these reasons, the City of Redding strongly opposes SB '79. Sincerely, _ . . ,� �E �_��._ Jack Munns City of Redding Mayor cc. The�Ionorable Megan Dahle (via email) The Honorable Heather Hadwick(via email) League Regional Public Affairs Manager(via email) League of California Cities, cityletters@calcities.org