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Legislative Bill Action prohibits a local government from limiting on street parking unl~ ss it makes the topographical, fire, etc. findings. 4. Development Standards: Limits a local government's ability to impose standards on a development by focusing the issue on the rents charged for the unit. 5. Absentee landlords: Prohibits a local ordinance from requiring an owner-occupant to live on the property in either the primary dwelling or second unit. This change sets up the opportu- nib/to create absentee-landlord rental situations in single-family neighborhoods. 6. Affordability: Prohibits a local ordinance from restricting the rent or income of occupants, or occupancy based upon age, unless required by a local rent control ordinance, or inclusionary zoning policies. The League opposesAB 1160 not only be- cause we object to the transfer of local land use authority to the state, but also because the bill's one-size-fits-all approach is likely to increase community opposition to second unit development projects rather than encourage it. Upcoming Action on AB 1160: In making AB 1160 a two-year bill, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee decided to hold hearings in November to discern whether there are problems or not with existing local second-unit ordinances. As preparation for this hearing moves forward, the League will complete a survey of local second unit ordinances and work extensively with cities to provide committee members with a comprehensive local perspective on the issue. Staff: Dan Carrigg, Status: AsHou&ComDev, two-year bill, Position: Op- pose. SB744 (Dunn) Planning: Housing. SB 744 gives the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) the authority to overturn local land use decisions after hearing appeals from housing development applicants who were previously denied approval or granted approval with conditions by a local agency. HCD is empowered to overrule local decisions that it views as "not reasonable or consistent with ~'~cal housing needs." The League is concerned with SB 744 be- cause it transfers significant local land use author- ity to HCD, by giving the Department the authority to order local governments to approve projects or remove conditions, even when the decision by the local government was legally valid. For instance, SB 744 would make it possible for developers to challenge conditions imposed on a project at the local level which they believe are "infeasible." HCD would be able to override these local condi- tions if they felt they were unreasonable and inconsistent with meeting local housing needs. Unfortunately, no state "conditions" that affect housing cost -- such as recently imposed prevail- ing wage requirements -- are on the table. Be- sides the loss of local authority, this level of state oversight is unwarranted. Developers who believe that a local government has unjustly treated their projects currently have recourse to the courts under Anti-Nimby Law [Section 65589.5 of the Government Code]. Staff: Dan Cardgg, Status: SenFIr, two-year bill League Position: Oppose. PUBLIC SAFETY AB 278 (Bermudez). Gambling Control Act. AB 278 increases the membership of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC), from 10 to 16 members. Appointed by the Gambling Control Commission (CGCC), under provisions of this act, eight members must be from the general public, and eight must represent controlled gam- bling licensees. This bill is important to cities because many casinos are located on the periph- ery of, or within, city limits, and AB 278 seeks to give a voice on the GPAC to cities and counties that have gambling establishments in their juris- dictions. There are currently no specific provi- sions for representation of these local agencies on the GPAC. Staff: Natasha Fooman, Status:Asm, Position: Support. Visit the League's Official Web $ite--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 11