Bill > AB357

This bill amends California's Coastal Act to streamline housing development for state universities, colleges, and private universities within the coastal zone. The bill prohibits the California Coastal Commission from denying or imposing conditions on amendments to long-range development plans for student, faculty, and staff housing projects, specifically allowing for height increases up to 20 feet, density increases up to 10 percent, changes in aesthetic design, and reduced parking requirements. The bill requires the commission to defer to universities in determining parking needs for housing facilities and mandates that the commission approve or deny a complete coastal development permit application for housing projects within 90 days of submission, with exceptions for substantial project changes or significant environmental circumstances. Additionally, the bill allows the executive director of the commission to determine if a plan amendment is "de minimis" (having minimal impact) and empowers them to expedite minor amendments. The legislation also requires the commission to publicly track and publish information about university development plans, amendments, and notices on its website, providing transparency in the approval process. These changes aim to facilitate faster and more flexible housing development for educational institutions in coastal regions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB357