two solutions for problems facing los altans & others
by Bill Hough
We constantly hear that California is suffering from a housing crisis. This writer is disturbed that the “solutions" currently moving through the legislature, such as SB9 and SB10, are nothing more than heavy-handed attempts to overrule local priorities and impose higher densities on suburban communities. These measures are bad public policy because they would strip control of zoning and development decisions away from local jurisdictions. For more on the problems with SB9 and SB10, click here and here.
Unlike the ineffective and disingenuous “solutions” promoted by these two bills, let’s examine promising solutions to two problems facing the Bay Area and other densely populated areas statewide where land is prohibitively expensive and where the number of jobs vastly exceeds the available housing. First, let’s address a solution to the need for more housing units in these areas. Syndicated columnist Tom Elias proposes an innovative solution to the housing crisis. He suggests that office space left behind by companies who have sent much of their staff home to work could be converted to housing. (to read Tom Elias’ article in its entirety click here) Turning these abandoned office complexes into residences would keep the properties from declining in value and subsequently reducing the property tax revenue they produce for cities, counties and the state. Areas that would have become blighted are transformed into vibrant residential communities potentially bringing opportunities for small businesses and related jobs. With the proper safeguards for small businesses and those recovering from the pandemic, this kind of property conversion could be a real win/win for everyone. To help this solution to the housing crisis become reality, call your elected officials and urge them to oppose SB9 and SB10 and to support legislation that would convert abandoned office space into housing units. Los Altans should call Assemblymember Marc Berman AD24 at (916) 319-2124 and Senator Josh Becker SD13 at (916) 651-4013.
There is a lot of discussion recently about remote work and how it could solve the housing crisis by allowing those jobs currently located in expensive overcrowded areas to be disbursed throughout the state if employers would allow employees to work remotely.The Covid pandemic demonstrated that remote work is not only doable, but that productivity is high and companies can achieve substantial savings to boot. For some workers, there are some encouraging signs that remote work is here to stay. For example, CNBC recently reported“Facebook CEOMark Zuckerberg announced that the company will allow all full-time employees to work from home if their jobs can be done remotely.” Unfortunately other organizations are requiring that most employees return to the office. In addition to its contribution to solving our housing crisis, remote work should be viewed as yet another effective means of fighting climate change.
Public agencies, led by the “Congestion Management Agencies," could be leading the push for remote work. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) maintains this county’s Congestion Management Program (CMP), in accordance with California Government Code 65088. The intent of this legislation is to develop a comprehensive transportation improvement program among local jurisdictions that will reduce traffic congestion and improve land use decision-making and air quality.
Government Code 65088, subsection (e), states “In order to develop the California economy to its full potential, it is intended that federal, state, and local agencies join with transit districts, business, private and environmental interests to develop and implement comprehensive strategies needed to develop appropriate responses to transportation needs.” Furthermore, the VTA board passed Resolution 2020.02.04 last year, declaring a "climate emergency." The “resolved” paragraph 2 of the resolution reads: “VTA staff will evaluate administrative procedures to incorporate the consideration of climate change impacts for all relevant proposed policies, programs, or actions approved by the Board of Directors.” Shortly thereafter, in a staff meeting, employees were requested to take action to fight global warming. Despite this, VTA is one of the organizations requiring staff to return to the office in seeming contradiction to the Resolution 2020.02.04, Government Code 65088, and the instructions given to staff to fight global warming.
Why require office workers to contribute to the region’s traffic congestion when alternatives like remote work are available? Were congestion or climate change impacts considered when drafting this policy, as required by Resolution 2020.02.04 and Government Code 65088? Why is VTA not encouraging remote work wherever feasible? Government Code 65088 requires VTA to “implement comprehensive strategies" to solve congestion. VTA Board policy officially recognizes that there is a climate emergency. Therefore VTA should be encouraging everyone to work from home, starting with its own staff. Now is the time to contact your elected officials and urge them to direct VTA to live up to its obligations under Government Code Section 65088(e) and Resolution 2020.02.04 by allowing its staff to work remotely. Again, your local elected officials’ contact information is Assemblymember Marc Berman AD24 at (916) 319-2124 and Senator Josh Becker SD13 at (916) 651-4013.