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Home My WebLink AboutCal Cities Diamond Bar SB 9 Joint LetterSeptember 10, 2021 The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor, State of California First Floor, State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 9 (Atkins) Increased Density in Single-Family Zones VETO REQUEST Dear Governor Newsom, The League of California Cities (Cal Cities) and the 241 cities listed in this letter write to request your VETO on SB 9 (Atkins). SB 9 would require nearly all cities, regardless of existing circumstances, to ministerially approve, without condition or discretion, a housing development containing up to four units on a parcel that was otherwise designated for one single-family home. Additionally, this measure would require local governments to ministerially approve an urban lot split, thus creating two independent lots that may be sold separately. Housing affordability and homelessness are among the most critical issues facing California cities. Affordably priced homes are out of reach for many people and housing is not being built fast enough to meet the current or projected needs of people living in the state. Cities lay the groundwork for housing production by planning and zoning new projects in their communities based on extensive public input and engagement, state housing laws, and the needs of the building industry. Importantly, cities are currently updating housing plans to identify sites for more than two million additional housing units. While we appreciate President pro Tempore Atkins’ desire to pursue a housing production proposal, SB 9 as currently drafted does not guarantee the construction of affordable housing nor will it spur additional housing development in a manner that supports local flexibility, decision-making, and community input. State- driven ministerial or by-right housing approval processes fail to recognize the extensive public engagement associated with developing and adopting zoning ordinances and housing elements that are certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Policymakers must avoid pushing new, unproven policies that would undermine local planning, change the rules mid-stream, or conflict with the myriad of new housing laws recently passed that cities are now implementing. We strongly urge you to VETO SB 9. Sincerely, Jason Rhine Assistant Director, Legislative Affairs cc: Ronda Paschal, Deputy Legislative Secretary, Office of Governor Newsom Cities opposed to SB 9: Agoura Hills Anderson Antioch Apple Valley Arcadia Arcata Arroyo Grande Artesia Atascadero Azusa Bakersfield Barstow Bell Bellflower Belmont Benicia Beverly Hills Big Bear Lake Blythe Bradbury Brentwood Buellton Buena Park Burbank Burlingame Calabasas Calimesa Camarillo Carlsbad Carson Ceres Cerritos Chino Hills Chino Chowchilla Citrus Heights Claremont Clayton Clearlake Clovis Colma Colton Commerce Concord Corona Coronado Costa Mesa Crescent City Cypress Dana Point Danville Diamond Bar Dinuba Dorris Downey Duarte Dublin Eastvale El Segundo El Centro Elk Grove Escalon Fairfax Fillmore Folsom Fontana Fortuna Foster City Fountain Valley Fremont Gardena Garden Grove Goleta Glendale Glendora Grand Terrace Grass Valley Gustine Hemet Hesperia Hidden Hills Hillsborough Hughson Imperial Indian Wells Industry Inglewood Irvine Irwindale Kerman King City La Canada Flintridge La Habra Heights La Mirada La Palma La Quinta La Verne Lafayette Laguna Beach Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Lake Elsinore Lake Forest Lakeport Lakewood Lancaster Larkspur Lathrop Lawndale Lemon Grove Lincoln Loma Linda Lomita Lompoc Los Alamitos Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Angeles Los Banos Lynwood Malibu Mammoth Lakes Manhattan Beach Martinez Maywood Menifee Merced Millbrae Milpitas Mission Viejo Modesto Monrovia Montclair Montebello Monterey Monterey Park Monte Sereno Moorpark Moraga Morro Bay Murrieta Newman Newark Newport Beach Norco Norwalk Novato Oakdale Oakley Oceanside Ojai Ontario Orange Orinda Oxnard Palos Verdes Estates Paramount Pacifica Pasadena Pico Rivera Pinole Pismo Beach Placentia Pleasant Hill Pleasanton Point Arena Pomona Poway Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Santa Margarita Redding Redondo Beach Ripon Riverbank Riverside Rocklin Rohnert Park Rolling Hills Rolling Hills Estates Ross Roseville Rosemead San Buenaventura San Clemente San Dimas San Fernando San Gabriel San Jacinto San Luis Obispo San Marcos San Marino San Rafael Santa Clarita Santa Fe Springs Santa Maria Santa Monica Santa Paula Santee Saratoga Scotts Valley Seal Beach Shafter Shasta Lake Signal Hill Simi Valley Solana Beach Solvang South Gate South Lake Tahoe South Pasadena Stockton Sunnyvale Taft Tehachapi Temecula Temple City Thousand Oaks Torrance Tracy Tustin Truckee Union City Upland Vacaville Vallejo Villa Park Vista Walnut Walnut Creek Waterford Watsonville West Covina Westlake Village Whittier Wildomar Woodside Yorba Linda Yuba City Yucca Valley Yucaipa