PRESS RELEASE
Assemblymember Alvarez joins Circulate San Diego to announce AB 2560 to Expand Coastal Housing Access
Contact: Will Moore, Policy Counsel, Circulate San Diego - 858-210-7999 | [email protected]
On March 1, 2024, Circulate San Diego, joined by Assemblymember David Alvarez and infill housing developer Rammy Cortez announced Assembly Bill 2560 to expand housing access in California's coastal zone. AB 2560 would apply density bonus law, which the rest of California abides by, in that exclusive and expensive area.
AB 2560 is authored by Assemblymember Alvarez and Senator Scott Wiener. It is sponsored by Circulate San Diego, S.P.U.R. and the Bay Area Council.
Currently, California density bonus law encourages new housing for people of all income levels by allowing developers to add units if they agree to set-aside 15 percent of their base density units as permanently affordable to Very-Low-Income households. But that rule doesn't apply the same way in the coastal zone - the most exclusive and segregated part of California. Indeed, the language of the Density Bonus Act contains special exception that effectively keeps Density Bonus Projects from getting built in the Coastal Zone.
AB 2560 would make it clear that the Legislature intends for the Density Bonus Program's success to be recreated statewide, removing the exception for the state's wealthiest enclaves.
Assemblymember Alvarez noted that “7 out of the 10 most unaffordable areas in the entire country are along the California coast.” Alvarez went on to say, “If we want to solve the housing crisis, we cannot leave it to the inland and rural parts of California – the coastal regions must also play a part. This is a successful balanced approach that will help address the housing crisis.”
Rammy Cortez, a developer who uses density bonus in his projects said, “My developer colleagues don’t even contemplate building in the coastal zone because the coastal process is subjective and discretionary, and the approval process drags out for years.” This is true even for projects that are unanimously approved by the local jurisdictions.
Will Moore, Policy Counsel for Circulate San Diego paid respect to the important purpose the Coastal Act serves, saying “The Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission were created to stop things Californians don’t want –like privatized beaches, oil drilling in the coast, encroachment on our wetlands and protected areas. But in recent years, they also stop housing – which Californians DO want and need. AB 2560 will help the Coastal Commission focus on its mission to preserve our coastal environment for future Californians, while also ensuring those future generations can still afford to live in California.”
Video of the event can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Y-LijKwwg
A pdf version of this Press Release can be found here.
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About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org.
Assemblymember Alvarez addresses the assembled press alongside Circulate Policy Counsel Will Moore (middle) and infill developer Rammy Cortez (right). Backdrop is The Commodore, which was built in National City using California's successful density bonus law.
Circulate's Policy Counsel Will Moore addresses the assembled press alongside Assemblymember David Alvarez (left) and infill developer Rammy Cortez (right). Backdrop is The Commodore, which was built in National City using California's successful density bonus law.
