California Environmental Quality Act: population growth and noise impacts: housing projects.
The passage of AB 1700 would lead to a significant shift in how local governments assess the environmental impacts of housing projects. By excluding population growth and noise as environmental effects, the bill intends to facilitate faster approvals for housing projects which often face delays due to lengthy environmental reviews. Proponents argue that by streamlining the review process, the bill will support California's goals to increase housing availability and affordability, especially in densely populated urban areas where housing shortages are critical.
Assembly Bill 1700, introduced by Assembly Member Hoover, seeks to amend the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by adding Section 21085 to the Public Resources Code. The bill specifically states that population growth resulting from a housing project, along with noise impacts generated by such projects, are not considered significant environmental effects under CEQA. This legislative change aims to simplify the approval process for housing projects, thereby promoting more residential developments amidst the state's ongoing housing crisis.
However, the bill faces considerable opposition from environmental advocacy groups and some local agencies. Critics argue that dismissing population growth and noise impacts undermines the intent of CEQA, which aims to protect environmental quality and community well-being. They express concerns that this could lead to inadequate assessments of the true impacts that housing developments may have on local ecosystems and noise pollution, potentially altering the quality of life for existing residents. The debate surrounding AB 1700 thus encapsulates the broader tension between promoting housing development and maintaining environmental protections.