CDA Board Engaged in 2018 Legislative Priorities 

One of the many highlights of last week's West Coast Urban District Forum in Walnut Creek was the consideration and debate by CDA's Board of Directors on this year's priority legislative issues. The Board is focused on three main issue areas, public space management, housing, and BID operational efficiency. 

 
CDA was pleased to welcome Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) who addressed conference attendees during a "Master Talks" session and spoke passionately about the need to create new opportunities for transit-rich, high-density housing in order to address the state's affordable housing shortage. Senator Wiener is an ally and friend of the California Downtown Association and the Board will continue to work closely with his office on issues that improve the quality of life in our downtowns. 

 
The Board considered and ultimately took a number of positions on key legislation, including:

SB 946, Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach)
The bill would prohibit a city/county from banning sidewalk vendors unless that jurisdiction had an existing sidewalk vending licensing program allowing for food or merchandise sales. Under the bill's provisions, the city/county could not restrict the location of the licensed vendor unless the vending activity directly impacted health, safety or welfare. The bill also makes violations of a vending ordinance punishable by an administrative fine program instead of a misdemeanor. CDA staff has expressed concerns with the approach and will work with our coalition allies to ensure local government has the tools it needs to properly manage sidewalk vending in urban areas. 

 
SB 827, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)
Seeking to help address the affordable housing crisis in California, the bill would exempt local zoning standards that prohibit small and mid-rise transit oriented development projects. Under the bill the definition of transit-rich would be projects within 1/2 mile radius of a major transit stop or 1/4 mile from a transit corridor. While the CDA Board strongly supports the development of high-density housing around transit, there are concerns about the parameters of the bus stop distance and the "right to remain" provision in the bill. CDA is actively working with the author and sponsors on the details of the bill. 

 
SB 916, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)
In an effort to reduce vehicle burglary rates, the bill would close a loophole in state law by expanding the definition of burglary of a vehicle by including "entering a vehicle by forced entry". The bill is designed to protect tourists and visitors who are often unavailable to testify at a later date that their vehicle was locked when the crime occurred. CDA is supporting the bill. 

SB 912, Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose) & AB 3171, Asm. Phil Ting (D-San Francisco)
The two bills reflect the Senate and Assembly's commitment to addressing homelessness and providing for temporary and transitional housing to assist vulnerable populations. SB 912 (Beall) would provide $2B to the Department of Housing and Community Development, half of which would fund new construction and the other half would be spent directly on homelessness and services for vulnerable populations. AB 3171 (Ting) would provide $1.5B in one-time funding grants to cities to proportionately fund rental assistance, bridge housing and permanent supportive housing efforts. CDA supports state efforts to assist local governments to address homelessness and staff will engage on both bills as they move through the Legislative process.