Two Repubs (Gaines/Morrell) Joined Two SF/Berkeley Dems (Wiener/Skinner) As Sole Committee "Yes" Votes For <nobr>SB 827</nobr> (Failed Passage: Developer Density Bonus Overriding Local Zoning, Incentivize Housing Density Near Transit)

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Two Repubs (Gaines/Morrell) Joined Two SF/Berkeley Dems (Wiener/Skinner) As Sole Committee "Yes" Votes For SB 827 (Failed Passage: Developer Density Bonus Overriding Local Zoning, Incentivize Housing Density Near Transit)

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(April 18, 2018) -- Two of four Republicans -- Sen. Mike Morrell (R, Riverside/San Bernardino) and Senator Ted Gaines (R, Alpine, Modoc, Shasta) -- joined two Democrats -- state Senator Scott Wiener (D, SF) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D, Berkeley) -- in voting "yes" on SB 827 (density bonus for developers, overriding local zoning to allow multi-story housing at specified distances from public transit) in the 13-member state Senate's Transportation and Housing Committee (LBREPORT.com coverage here.)

The bill failed passage in the Committee on April 17 on a 4-6-3 vote. Yes = Gaines (R), Morrell (R), Skinner (D), Wiener (D); No = Allen (D), Beall (D), Cannella (R), Dodd (D), Galgiani (D), McGuire (D); No Votes Recorded = Roth (D), Vidak (R), Wieckowski (D).

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During Committee discussion, Repub Sen. Gaines praised Senator Wiener's efforts and said that in his twelve years in the state legislature, he hadn't seen any action on CEQA reform [term generally refers to politically polarizing proposals that would reduce opportunities for public appeals to challenge impacts of developer/government proposed projects.] Senator Gaines said, "[B]arring CEQA reform, I think your pathway is the pathway for the construction of additional housing in the state of California."

Senator Gaines joined several Dems in commending Sen. Wiener for raising the housing issues, variously stating that they plan to work with him to address concerns raised by the bill's opponents in seeking to address housing goals they said they share with Sen. Wiener.

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The Committee voted 13-0 to grant SB 827 "reconsideration," meaning Sen. Wiener could could theoretically bring it back in some amended forms, but Sen. Wiener's comments (below) indicate he's more inclined to wait until next year.

Senator Wiener said (in a statement released after the vote) that "While I'm disappointed that Senate Bill 827 won't be moving forward this year, I'm heartened by the conversation it has started...[M]y job is to take the conversation started by SB 827, and get to work on developing a proposal that meets the ambitious goals of this bill, while incorporating what we have learned since we introduced it. I will continue to work with anyone who shares the critical goals of creating more housing for people in California, and I look forward to working in the coming months to develop a strong proposal for next year." [Next year will be under a new Governor and new Sacramento legislative leadership.]

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