New CEQA Study Says Housing and Infill Projects Dominate Appeals, Drawing Pushback from Prop. 45 Opponents
West Coast Land Use and Environmental Group Leader Jennifer Hernandez was cited in a Vanguard News Group article recapping her most recent study on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and her call to pass Proposition 45. Holland & Knight's study analyzed CEQA appeals during an 11-year period and found residential projects accounted for a little more than 25 percent of cases, including infill developments within existing communities. It also showed environmental impact reports, the most extensive form of CEQA review, factored in more than half of the appellate decisions, demonstrating how projects can become snarled in lawsuits and remained stalled for years. Jennifer, who led the study, argues the data makes "an incontrovertible case for Proposition 45," which would create new environmental review, permitting and litigation procedures for projects such as housing, water and transportation, tighten deadlines for agencies to complete environmental reviews, and restrict the scope of evidence courts can consider when reviewing challenges to project approvals. She argued these reforms would reduce litigation-driven delays while still preserving environmental protections.
"California should not have to choose between protecting the environment and building the housing and infrastructure we need," she said.