California’s SB 330, enacted in 2020, is a significant housing legislation designed to address the state’s housing crisis. The bill introduces new standards and reforms legal processes related to housing development.
City Connect Partners
A Pioneering Real Estate Development Group
The Saratoga Vineyard Project
City Connect Partners, Inc. is committed to addressing Saratoga’s housing needs through the Vineyard project. Here’s how we do it:
Affordability: We offer 199 condos, with 40 for low-income households, increasing affordable housing options.Housing Law Compliance: We follow California’s Builder’s Remedy while awaiting Housing Element approval, ensuring adherence to affordable housing regulations.Community Enhancement: The Vineyard project includes green spaces and amenities that blend with Saratoga’s character.Preserving Charm: Our development plans prioritize maintaining Saratoga’s rural atmosphere.Infrastructure Planning: We consider water storage and wildfire risks for a sustainable, safe development.City Connect’s Vineyard project addresses Saratoga’s housing challenges responsibly, respecting its unique character and community needs.
Environmental Impacts
City Connect is dedicated to preserving Saratoga’s rural charm while addressing the need for affordable housing in our Vineyard project. Here’s how we achieve this:
Architectural Harmony: Our designs blend with local styles to seamlessly integrate new buildings into the surroundings.Green Spaces: We prioritize green areas and native tree preservation to maintain the rural feel.Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems align with Saratoga’s environmental values.Community Engagement: We consult with experts to incorporate design elements and amenities reflecting Saratoga’s character.Infrastructure Improvement: Careful planning minimizes visual and environmental impact on roads, utilities, and services. Additionally, The Vineyard project with include innovative C3 storm water solutions including multiple on-site bio-retention basins.City Connect Partners strives to create both market-rate and affordable housing developments that respect and enhance the unique character of individual communities.
Compliance
Summary of California's SB 330
”No Net Loss” Downzoning Prohibitions Prohibits cities from reducing residential use intensity for a site or zone unless replaced elsewhere. It applies to both zoning and general plan changes. Moratoriums on residential development and annual numerical caps are prohibited.
Objective Standard Requirements Strengthens existing laws requiring objective design standards for housing developments. Only violations of objective standards can be grounds for denial. Cities are barred from enacting or enforcing non-objective design standards.
Tenant Protecting Demolition Controls Introduces demolition controls and replacement requirements for certain protected units, including rent-controlled units and units occupied by low-income tenants. Developers must replace all such units in any development.
Timeline Streamlining Introduces provisions to streamline permitting timelines. The effective date for application completeness is the day the application is submitted. Projects are limited to no more than five public hearings to prevent obstruction of development.
Builder's Remedy
The ‘Builder’s Remedy’ in California, formally known as Government Code section 65589.5(d)(5), is part of the Housing Accountability Act. It serves as a crucial mechanism to address housing shortages by setting conditions under which housing projects can’t be denied by local jurisdictions, even if they don’t align with local zoning or general plan.
Legal Basis and Compliance Activated when a city or county is not in substantial compliance with state housing element law. Jurisdictions must adopt updated housing elements every five or eight years, certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Applicable Projects Applies to ‘Housing Development Projects’ including residential units, mixed-use with significant residential components, transitional, or supportive housing.
Affordability Requirements Projects must meet certain affordability thresholds, such as a percentage of units for lower-income households or all units for moderate-income households.
Conditions for Denial or Restriction Projects can be denied or restricted under specific circumstances related to public health, safety, compliance with state/federal laws, or land zoning.
Recent Relevance and Uncertainties Increased usage due to noncompliance with housing element laws, bringing opportunities and uncertainties, particularly in how these provisions interact with other laws like CEQA.
Purpose and Effectiveness Introduced to incentivize compliance with state housing laws and facilitate housing development, especially affordable housing. Allows developers to bypass local zoning rules under certain conditions.
Eligibility and Limitations Jurisdictions become eligible if lacking a compliant housing element. Projects must comply with building codes, health, safety guidelines, and undergo environmental review.
Overall, the Builder’s Remedy is a legal tool to address California’s housing crisis by enabling housing development in jurisdictions which have not yet become compliant, aiming to accelerate the development of much-needed housing.
These measures were adopted in response to California's housing crisis to reform housing development processes and streamlining project approvals.
