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_�-A - a a LEAGUE CEQA TASK FORCE TO FOCUS ON HOUSING, INFILL DEVELOPMENT. KESTON INFRASTRUCTURE INSTITUTE RELEASES SURVEY The League's board of directors recently approved the formation of a League -led effort to consider changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with a specific focus on streamlining the environmental review process, where possible, for housing and other forms of infill development. California's population is growing by 600,000 people each year, and California cities are con- stantly confronted with the challenge of balancing urban development with environmental concerns. Urban infill development is often considered to be an environmentally sound and efficient way to rebuild California for the future. Unfortunately, the CEQA process often imposes unnecessary and costly impediments to needed housing and urban infill projects and can be used by individuals with personal agendas to stifle the public interest. Although CEQA was designed as an informa- tion- gathering process to help public decision makers understand the potential environmental impacts of their decisions, in practice it has become a complex area of the law. The League has asked city officials, city attorneys, economic development professionals, planners and repre- sentatives from county organizations, environ- mental groups, the building industry, redevelop- ment associations, and school organizations to join the task force and participate in a discussion to determine what changes to CEQA might be considered which would promote infill and housing development while maintaining valuable environ- mental protections. The CEQA task force will hold its first meeting on Monday, November 17th, in Sacramento. For more information please contact Dan Carrigg, (916) 658 -8222, email dcarrioo ancacities.oro, and Jessica Mullan, (916) 658 -8243, email Imullan (cDcacities.orq. The newly formed Keston Infrastructure Institute at USC's Lusk Center for Real Fstate has developed a survey to ascertain attitudes ai , d perceptions on infrastructure from stakeholders across the state. Mayors, council members and city managers will be receiving a copy of the survey. It can also be com- pleted either on -line at www.usc.edu/keston by downloading it and mailing it to the address provided on the survey. A major objective of the Institute is to increase the public's knowledge and interest in infrastructure issues. The purpose of this survey is to better understand how stakeholders perceive infrastructure: What constitutes infrastructure? How is it defined? Who is responsible for its provision? How important is infrastructure to society? Is infrastructure adequately provided? The Institute will use responses to help guide future research and policy design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ENERGY COMMISSION ADOPTS NEW BUILDING EFFICIENCY STANDARDS Last week, after months of public comment and technical input, the California Energy Com- mission adopted updated building standards for energy efficiency in residential and non - residential construction. The standards also update outdoor lighting requirements and are designed to promote energy efficiency and conservation. According to the Energy Commission, the new standards will "...reduce California's energy demand, cut our future energy bills and make our buildings more comfortable." The League has offered to work with the Commission to help in the implementation phase of the adoption process, focusing on ways to educate city officials about the new standards, which go into effect October 2005. Information about the new Title 24 Energy Efficiency Building Standards is available on the Energy Commission website at: www.enerov.ca.00v PAGE 2 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org