TO: RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT FROM: Councilmember Dev Davis
COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: Discuss City’s Position on SB 9 Lawsuit DATE: April 28, 2022 Approved Date 4/28/2022
RECOMMENDATION:
Agendize for discussion at City Council whether to support or join the lawsuit filed by Southern California cities against SB 9 to protect local control.
BACKGROUND:
SB 9 is a broad-brush, statewide zoning measure that prevents us from following our Envision 2040 General Plan. It prevents us from addressing impacts on city services and infrastructure (sewer, roads, streets, parking) and does not require any amount of affordable housing. SB 9 also prevents community input on development in neighborhoods.
The cities of Redondo Beach, Torrance, Carson, and Whittier have filed a legal challenge to SB
9. We should support their efforts either by an official statement of support or by joining the lawsuit. The lawsuit contends that planning and zoning laws should be under the purview of a municipality.
I urge my colleagues to help restore local control of land-use decisions and avoid the “hands are tied” lament. Our residents and neighborhoods deserve the ability to provide feedback on the development that will affect them and they deserve a local government that is enabled to make community-tailored zoning processes and decisions.
RULES COMMITTEE: 5/4/2022
ITEM: C.1