Regional Regulators Turn Up The Heat
By Kristina D. Lawson
Western Real Estate Business
April 2012
The California legislature enacted Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) about four years ago to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by linking land-use and transportation planning throughout California. This landmark “anti-sprawl” bill provides for a regional approach to land-use planning.
There are currently 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) across the state tasked with developing “sustainable communities strategies” to encourage the development of housing in existing urbanized areas near jobs, consequently reducing greenhouse gas emissions by changing commuter patterns. Essentially, the logic states that if we live close to where we work, and if we have acceptable access to public transit, then we can reduce the amount of vehicle miles traveled, thereby reducing automotive emissions.
While the premise and intent behind SB 375 are commendable, implementation is proving to be difficult. One of the myriad complexities underlying the SB 375 implementation process is the competing priorities of numerous regulatory agencies involved in the effort.
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