Economy

Calif. eliminates noise concerns as roadblock for housing developments

Newsom said a new law will stop CEQA from being misused by wealthy Berkeley residents to derail badly needed housing development.
Fallen fences and graffiti-covered construction equipment left behind sit at People’s Park in Berkeley, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation that removes the potential noise generated by occupants and guests as an environmental factor considered in permitting residential housing construction, a move that greenlights the University of California’s controversial plan to build on People’s Park in Berkeley.

The new law also exempts colleges and universities from having to consider alternative housing sites for a residential or mixed-use housing project if certain requirements are met under the California Environmental Quality Act permitting process.

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