WIENER SCALES BACK BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW TALLER HOUSING NEAR PUBLIC TRANSIT

“Wiener argues that the bill is needed to ensure that local opponents of construction can’t block developments that would benefit people trying to find affordable housing near where they work. Building such housing near public transit would also reduce the need for people to drive long distances to their jobs, cutting traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, Wiener says.”

State Sen. Scott Wiener scaled back a controversial housing proposal that would strip local governments of their ability to block construction of taller and denser apartment and condominium buildings near public transit stops, and conceded the bill might not make it through the Legislature this year.

Those amendments drew support from the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, a group that includes affordable-housing developers. Its policy director, Michael Lane, said the bill could spur housing development throughout the state.

Read more via SFGate.