Take it to the house New building reforms remove hurdles to San Jose development

San Jose officials celebrate significant reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) aimed at expediting housing development. Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills on June 30, allowing infill projects under 20 acres to bypass environmental reviews. Mayor Matt Mahan stated that CEQA has often been misused to obstruct essential developments, and the changes restore balance to the approval process. The Planning department expects that project approvals could occur in half the usual time, reducing delays that have historically reached two years. However, environmentalists argue that CEQA plays a vital role in protecting vulnerable communities and question the extent to which it has delayed housing projects.

They contend that the housing crisis stems from factors beyond CEQA's regulations. The reforms primarily benefit market-rate housing developers, while affordable housing initiatives remain largely unaffected due to pre-existing exemptions. This shift in policy could reshape the housing landscape in San Jose, prompting more rapid construction efforts.