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9, � -�' Le9islative Bill Action ................... ............................................ of the conduit process might limit the public has the ultimate authority to approve or disapprove � participation in the process of issuing these them (including, the ability to preempt local land bonds. In addition, we are concemed about use authority for a legitimate statewide need). expanding this state tax subsidy to an entit�r that is not currently required to comply with critical state The bill requires the commission to review its laws, as are both state and local govemments. plans periodicaly and if necessary, de-designate a Staff: Jean Korinke; Status: Senate Revenue and TCZ. Although periodic review is appropriate, if a Taxation Committee, Hrg. April 27; Position: TCZ is de-designated, the local agency would be Oppose required once again to amend its general plan. This process would impose uncertainty on local ENVIRONMENTAL govemments and property owners about whether, and if so, how and when, land within the zone SB 1059 (Escutia). Transmission Lines. could be developed, since it would be unclear Land Use Preemption. Bewar�e!!! The Califor- what the compatible uses vu�uld be. nia Energy Commission may become a new land use-permitting agency in your city if it decides that The League, CSAC and RCRC have proposed a high voltage electricity transmission corridor an altemative proposal that includes a robust zone (TC� should go through your city sometime upfront collaborative pfanning process, notification in the future. Beware again — the Energy Com- of existing and prospective landowners and a mission could change its mind in five or ten years public hearing and comment by the Energy Com- and decide that the TCZ no longer should go mission before a city or county could take any through your city. And, in the intervening years, if action on a project within the TCZ. The local SB 1059 is enacted as currently wriiten, your city govemment proposal deletes the preemption would be required to amend its general plan iwice problems now in SB 1059. to be consistent with the Energy Commission's � statewide plan, regardless of whether or not the While some Senate Local Govemment Corr� proposed TCZ is consistent with your general plan mittee members expressed concems about local and zoning and current and future land use projeG control, the uncertain impacts on land owners, tions. Projects proposed within the zone could and potential takings/compensation issues, the bill only be permitted with commission approval. And, passed overwhelmingly in the Senate Local beware again — landowners whose property is Govemment Committee. The League will con- within a designated area would have little or no tinue to worlc with the author and administration to certainty as to what they ultimately will be able to find a way to allow the state to engage in thought- do with their property. And, as currenty drafted, ful long range planning for transmission corridors SB 1059 does not define the width of a TCZ. It without allowing the Energy Commission to could be 1000 feet wide, one mile or three miles become the land use permitting authority in cities . wide, resutting in significant impacts on local land and counties. use plans and projects. In the meantime, cities should contact their While the need for a statewide transmission senators and urge a no vote unless the local land planning process is a serious issue, the solution use, planning and landowner issues are satisfac- proposed in SB 1059 would pneempt local zoning torily address. They should also begin to educate and results in bad planning at the local level. In their local business and housing development doing so, it will have the effect of tying up large community about the potential impacts of the bill, swaths of land in these zor�es for five to ten to and the uncertainty that would result about per- twenty years, until 4he transmission project missible land uses should it be enacted in its reaches the Public Utilities Commission, which current form. Staff: Yvonne Hunter, Status: Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 5