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ARTICLE · 22 AUGUST 2014

OPR Proposes To Increase CEQA’s Costs, Complexity, And Litigation Risks With SB 743 Implementation

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Recent proposed revisions to CEQA guidelines implementing SB 743 do not address parts of SB 743 that are designed to streamline CEQA guidelines for some infill projects.

United StatesEnvironment
Jennifer Hernandez
Jennifer Hernandez
Chelsea Maclean
Chelsea Maclean
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Jennifer Hernandez and Amanda Monchamp are Partners, Chelsea Maclean an Associate in our San Francisco office

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Recent proposed revisions to CEQA guidelines implementing SB 743 do not address parts of SB 743 that are designed to streamline CEQA guidelines for some infill projects.
  • OPR's proposal suggests a mandatory new "vehicle miles traveled" transportation study and several recommended mitigation measures that conflict with the SB 743 goal of encouraging infill.

Background

On August 6, 2014, the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) issued proposed revisions1 to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines implementing SB 743 – the Sacramento Kings arena bill – carried by Senator Darrell Steinberg and adopted by the legislature in 2013.

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