AgdaPkt 2004-05-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

rD.A- <1 Legislative Bill Action ............................................................... bill not only usurps local zoning authority, it represents ation of additional territory that was not contained irrespon~ble planning, with r,) appreciation or under- in the local BgBncy's annexation proposal to the standing 0: location, traffic, Sitl conditions, or other local commission. Although this measure addressBs a Issues. concern arising from a proposed annBxation affecting the City of Simi Valley, it also represents Over 53 cities have sent letters of opposition to this good statewide policy. The annexation process legislation, and more are needed. City officials can help can be complicated and costty, and city annexation on this bill in the following ways: proposals are often the subject of much public Writing and calling their legislators. discussion and debate. The Commission's Bppro- Informing local resident organizations about the priate role is to consider the merits of a particular bill. proposal and make a decision based upon its Writing a letter to the editor of the local newspa- existing policies and state laws. It is not appropri- per to increase awareness. ate, however, for a commission to attempt to Having a conversation with their local Realtor's condition an annBxation upon the annexation of representative about some of the impacts of this legisla- additional territory that may not be politically or tion. economically possible for the city to accomplish. AB 2306 passed the Assembly Local Govemment Copies of the League's opposition letter, specific Committee on April 28" with a 9-{ vote, and moves comments on the amended language, sample letters, to the Assembly Floor. Staff: Dan Carrigg, and a list of cities opposed to the bill are available on the Status: Assembly Floor, Position: Support. League's website. Staff: Dan Carrigg, Status: Assem- bly Apps. Position: Oppose. M1Z2§ (laird). Mobile Home Parks: Rent Control. ~ authorizes the courts to award AB 2175 (Canciamilla) Condo Conversions: costs to local goyemments if mobilehome parK Local Ordinances: Defeated in Committee. owners or an association representing them bring Through the combined opposition of housing advocates an action challenging a local ordinance in bad faith and the League, and without reasonable cause. Under current AB 2175 which would have pre-empted local law, mobilehome parK owners and their associa- ordinances regulating condominium conversions, was tions stand to lose very little by challenging local defeated in the Assembly Housing Committee on April ordinances, even when that challenge is made in 28"'. This measure, sponsored by the California Asso- bad faith. The threat of litigation often forces local ciation of Realtors, was aimed at streamlining the ability governments to evaluate whether enacting a of apartment owners to convert their units to condDmini- cDntroversial ordinance like rent control is worth urns. The bill would have pre-empted over 232 local expending the significant amounts of money it governments which have existing condominium conver- takes to defend frivolous lawsuits. If a community sion ordinances. Local governments regulate condo- is forced to repeal a perfectly valid ordinance minium conversions to protect existing tenants and their because it does not have the financial resources to community's supply of rental housing. Make sure to defend it, residents seeking affordable housing are thank your legislator if they voted "No" or "Not Voting." ultimately the ones who suffer. The League (Committee Votes: No: Lowenthal, Mullin, Salinas, and supports ~ because it will alleviate some Steinberg; Ayes: Dutra, Mountjoy, Runner, and Cogdill; concern at the local level about litigation cost, Not Voting: Kehoe.) Staff: Dan Carrigg, Status: because it will force mobilehome parK owners and Defeated in ASM Housing and Community Development their associations to face up to financial conse- Committee 4/28, Position: OPPOSE. quences when they file lawsuits in bad faith and without reasonable cause. Staff: Dan Carrigg, AB 2306 (Richman) Local Aoencv Formation. AB Status: ASM Judiciary Committee Hearing, May 5", 2306 prohibits a Local Agency Formation Commission Position: Support. (LAFCO) from imposing conditions on an annexing local agency that would require the submission of any annex- Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUSIPAGE 8