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• Second units (Gov. 65852.2) <br /> Must approve second unit with ministerial review. City may not adopt ordinance that totally <br /> precludes second units in residential zones unless specific adverse impacts on public health, <br /> safety, and welfare. <br /> • Ministerial approval of multifamily housing (Gov. 65589.4) <br /> Must approve as a permitted use multifamily housing structure located on an infill site that is <br /> consistent with general plan and zoning ordinance in which at least 10% of the units are <br /> affordable to very low income households; or at least 20% available to lower incomes; or 50% <br /> affordable to moderate income households. <br /> No project level CEQA review <br /> The proposal requires ministerial review of a housing project if it is consistent with "objective <br /> general plan and zoning standards." CEQA review that is required for both the general plan <br /> and zoning ordinance does not extend to the project level. CEQA review that is required for <br /> both the general plan and zoning ordinance may have occurred many years before the <br /> development application is submitted. Cities and counties will not be able to determine <br /> whether site-specific conditions or changed circumstances and new information require <br /> environmental mitigation. If for some reason a previous environmental document was helpful <br /> in evaluating the project, the bill does not allow a city to impose conditions to require <br /> compliance with previously-adopted mitigation measures. <br /> What is an "objective"general plan and zoning standard? <br /> The general plan is a policy document. It is the "constitution" of a city or county. It is the <br /> document that sets forth the community's vision in the various required elements. Objective <br /> standards are included in implementing ordinances and project-level review, not in a general <br /> plan. <br /> An example of an "objective" zoning standard might be an inclusionary housing requirement. <br /> However, if a housing development chooses not to comply with this "objective" standard, the <br /> applicant can request a zone change to eliminate the requirement. The proposal requires the <br /> city to approve the request as a ministerial decision. <br /> Cost of relocation <br /> The proposal allows a developer to tear down an existing structure, displace existing <br /> residents, and then requires the city or county — that has no discretion in whether or not the <br /> structure is torn down or the new housing is built—to pay relocation costs. <br /> Affordable housing will not remain affordable <br /> A housing development must be "required by law to record" a land-use restriction based on <br /> (1) a condition of award of funds or financing from a public agency; (2) as a condition of the <br /> award of tax credits; (3) as might be required by contract entered into with a public agency. <br /> In other words, if a developer does not receive funding for the affordable housing, the housing <br /> will not remain affordable. <br /> 4 <br />