Gov. Newsom is Blasting CEQA. What is it and Why Does it Matter?

West Coast Land Use and Environment attorney Daniel Golub spoke with The Mercury News about recent calls to reform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) after a state court ruled UC Berkeley violated the statute in its plans to build student and homeless housing at People's Park. The article explains that state lawmakers have passed legislation in recent years exempting some housing projects from CEQA, including certain types of affordable housing, student housing and homeless shelters. However, opponents have the ability to file lawsuits challenging whether those projects meet the often-strict standards for exemption. Mr. Golub emphasized the need for reform.

“What is needed is a wholesale look at whether having it this easy to kill a project and set it back three years can be maintained as a general rule,” he said.

READ: Gov. Newsom is Blasting CEQA. What is it and Why Does it Matter?