Developers May Get a Break on Projects that Reduce Miles

Barclay says there will be a shift in retail project comparisons.

SACRAMENTO—Transportation currently accounts for approximately half of California’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. In 2006, the state enacted AB 32 to force planning and land use entities to reduce greenhouse gases. It has been a battle since then.

Under existing environmental rules, increases in car traffic are considered an environmental impact that must be mitigated—often by building more roads for more cars—even if that mitigation actually increases greenhouse gas emissions. In 2013, SB 743 required the state to change how impacts on transportation are evaluated under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), removing barriers to infill development, public transportation projects and projects that increase walking and biking. These guidelines were applied statewide in 2014.