APA Los Angeles is closely monitoring SB 50 (Wiener, Housing Development Incentives and Requirements), and is aware that the legislation is evolving to address concerns of planning professionals and other stakeholders throughout the state (see the April 24 amendments). On March 25, our parent chapter, APA California, adopted a formal “Oppose Unless Amended” position on SB 50, citing substantive concerns over how the proposed bill would undermine local control over development standards.

As a subsidiary of APA California, APA Los Angeles participates in the development of the Chapter’s policy positions, which aim to represent the interests of planners statewide. On March 8 and April 9, APA Los Angeles representatives participated in Legislative Review Team meetings with other local APA sections and offered feedback on SB 50 to inform the chapter’s position. Moving forward, APA California will continue to engage with Senator Wiener and his staff with a goal of ensuring SB 50’s approach to developing higher density housing near transit aligns with our organizational values and meets our state’s needs.

As an APA Los Angeles member, you are invited to help inform and shape the legislation in the following ways:

• Let us know if your jurisdiction or employer has taken a formal position on SB 50 by emailing policy@apalosangeles.org. For example, the Los Angeles City Council authored a resolution in opposition to SB 50 on April 16 (prior to the April 24 amendments), backed by a report from the City Planning Department.
• If you are interested in SB 50 and would like to offer feedback on the updated version, please contact APA California’s Vice President for Policy and Legislation, Eric Phillips at ephillips@goldfarblipman.com
• If you want to join APA California’s Legislative Review Team and help review all of the substantive legislation that impacts planning beyond SB 50, please contact APA California’s Administrative Director Lauren De Valencia at lauren@stefangeorge.com