Cities around California are resisting a new housing law, Senate Bill 9, which allows duplexes, and sometimes fourplexes, to be built on properties previously zoned as single family.
More than 240 cities had opposed the bill by passing their own ordinances to make it difficult for property owners to take advantage of the law, which took effect Jan. 1, according to a Cal Matters article. The Housing and Community Development Department plans to investigate complaints about 29 cities, the article said.
Temple City has been fighting back against SB 9 with its own housing ordinance. "What we’re trying to do here is to mitigate the impact of what we believe is a ridiculous state law," Councilmember Tom Chavez said.
According to the same article, The Housing and Community Development Department's investigation could mean big consequences for cities who refuse to get in step with the new law. Those failing to comply with state housing laws will be informed by letter and offered technical assistance with 30 days to create a remediation plan, Cal Matters reports. While hoping for compliance after a few letters, the Department is prepared to send a second warning to those who refuse to cooperate, and ultimately, it could become a matter for the Office of the Attorney General, according to Cal Matters.
One of the cities on the investigation list, Temple City passed new ordinances setting design standards that property owners must follow in order to construct a duplex. The council approved this list of more than 30 new development standards in December, purposefully trying to get ahead of what Chavez calls "a ridiculous state law."
The city opposes the law because, according to Councilmember William Man, traditional single-family zoning has always attracted residents to Temple City, Cal Matters reports.