With the pandemic and mass protests in media headlines, the State Legislature is quietly fast tracking the agenda to end single-family zones in California. SB 1120 (Atkins-Wiener) will allow lot subdivisions and duplexes on a single-family parcel, so that one house can become 4 units, or 8 including by-right accessory dwelling units. This comes with minimal or no requirements on parking provisions. SB 902 (Wiener-Atkins) goes even further to institutionalize autocracy: it permits a local government to pass an ordinance, exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and regardless of any initiatives placed by voters, to allow up to 10 housing units in any parcel in a job-rich, transit-rich or urban infill site. Will the gold rush make it harder for home-buyers to compete with developers and investors who want new unaffordable housing ? What happens with inadequate infrastructure, destabilized neighborhoods, or destruction of ecosystem services provided by single-family zones?
Letters To The Editor
The developer, Lamb Partners (Randy Lamb – Atherton Planning Commissioner) started to purchase the two single family homes along Monroe, 906 Monroe St. and 930 Monroe St. in Feb 2019 and Sep 2019 respectively. This was just after the Santa Clara Downtown Community Task Force (DCTF) was formed by the City Council in December 2018. Lamb Partners
Santa Clara is the ONLY city in the entire State of California to have an elected Chief of Police. I contend that Santa Clarans don’t actually have a choice in selecting their Chief of Police. The current Chief of Police, Pat Nikolai, ran unopposed in his last two elections March 2020 and November 2020. Mike
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) states that racial discrimination in employment is illegal, as provided for under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law forbids employers from discriminating against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The provision also prohibits employers from creating or
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Letters To The Editor
Some may have badges, elected roles or fancy titles with authority but they surely don’t automatically come with ethics. Ethics is not a “factory setting”. Councilmember Karen Hardy said it best, “you either have ethics or you don’t” and clearly there are those in this city and county that do not have any. More importantly ... Read more
Roger KintAre you listening, Jude Barry? Based on what was described in court, you track every word the Santa Clara Weekly/Silicon Valley Voice pushes out about Santa Clara. So I’m sure this will reach you—if not directly, then through Mayor Gillmor or one of the many disciples of what people in town openly call the “Gillmor mafia.” This ... Read more
Roger Kint