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SCAG from page 1 9A Page 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q SCAG is aligning its housing allocation pro- cess with the growth allocation process under its regional transportation plan (RTP). The legislation SCAG is sponsoring (SB 12 - Lowenthal) seeks authorization to do this and also requests some procedural changes to assure that local agencies have enough time to bring their housing elements into compliance before the legislative deadline. Given the timeline involved, Sen. Lowenthal has introduced it as an urgency bill that will take effect before the legislative year ends. S8 12 is specific to the region, the League's goal in analyzing this bill was to acknowledge the realities faced by SCAG in a way that did not undermine the multi-stakeholder agreement made three years ago by the Housing Element Working Group. That agreement resulted in amendments to the housing element process introduced by Assemblymember Gene Mullin (AS 2348) and then Assemblymember (now Senator) Alan Lowenthal (AS 2158). From the statewide perspective, SB 12 does not undermine the housing element process. It makes the following changes to the RHNA alloca- tion process: · Aligns the RHNA process with the regional transportation plan to integrate housing planning with transportation planning · Allows SCAG to replace the RHNA survey requirement with a series of 14 public workshops (which SCAG has already completed) to solicit local input · Clarifies that a city or county may only file one appeal · Requires SCAG to provide a written expla- nation to each city and county as to the reasoning behind providing the city or county its housing numbers Many local officials in the SCAG area are uncomfortable with the fact that SCAG's alloca- tions may reinforce the Compass Blueprint (www.comoassblueorint.ora), which has been a voluntary program to focus the region's growth in strategic areas. The concern is that distributing the housing allocation in a way that is consistent with the 81ueprint will morph a voluntary program into a region-wide mandate. While not taking away from the important policy considerations raised by that concern, S8 12 does not address that issue. Accordingly, the League continues to watch this bill and, given the bill's regional scope, is not likely to take a posi- tion. The League encourages individual officials within the SCAG region to look closely at this bill to understand the changes and how it might affect the RHNA process within the region. .............................. ., .. . .. . . . . . .. 2006 CITY HALL DIRECTORY Don't miss this opportunity to get the league's most useful reference tool. This comprehensive California directory provides important contact information for mayors, council members and city department heads. The directory also features the League's staff directory, League partners, affiliate organizations and a wide variety of advertisers. . . . . . . . .: INFORMATION YOU NEED, RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! Purchase this publication online at www.cacities.org/store or call (916) 658-8257 for an order form. City officials price $30, non-city officials price $65, plus shipping & handling. ............................. Visit the League's Official Websiteuwww.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS. PAGE 7 January 26, 2007 . Issue #4