California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions.
The bill modifies existing provisions regarding residential, agricultural, and employment center projects to allow for exemptions from environmental review if they meet criteria such as being within a defined ‘very low vehicle travel area’ and adhering to community plans that have undergone a suitable environmental impact review. The legislation is intended to facilitate the development of housing in areas that are already built up and to support the state's goals of increasing housing availability and sustainability, particularly in urban settings.
Senate Bill 73, introduced by Senator Cervantes, seeks to amend several sections of the California Public Resources Code, particularly focusing on exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The bill aims to streamline the approval process for certain development projects by allowing exemptions for housing projects that meet specified criteria. This includes expanding the scope of projects eligible for streamlined reviews, particularly those located in transit priority areas and those characterized as having very low vehicle travel, thus supporting sustainable community planning.
However, SB 73 has sparked discussion regarding its implications on environmental oversight. Critics argue that by increasing the number of projects exempt from extensive environmental review, there is a potential risk of undermining environmental protections that are fundamental to fully understanding a project's impacts. Another point of contention is related to inclusivity and the potential for conflicts with local conservation efforts, as the bill could allow projects in state conservancies, which can impact biodiversity and local ecosystems. Proponents counter that the bill's focus on encouraging development in existing communities helps address housing shortages without significantly increasing environmental risks.