San Diego Tribune: Michael Smolens – Even a small housing bill is subject to big, familiar disputes
On its face, legislation by Assemblymember David Alvarez might not seem very controversial.
The San Diego Democrat is proposing that housing projects designated for low-income residents be exempt — under certain circumstances — from the state’s bedrock environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act.
The theory is that streamlining or eliminating the environmental review process would lower construction costs and encourage more housing.