Oppose SB 423 Unless Amended

Surfrider is currently OPPOSING SB 423  unless amended to preserve the coastal access provisions of the Coastal Act.

SB 423 proposes to streamline multifamily housing development across California, including in the coastal zone. Surfrider supports efforts to create affordable housing in the coastal zone but does not support the bill as currently written.  The current framework of the bill deregulates multi-family housing in the coastal zone by removing the Coastal Commission’s jurisdiction on qualified projects. This means that any qualified housing projects would not be reviewed pursuant to Coastal Act standards for mitigation and avoidance of impacts to blocked coastal access, erosion of public beaches, and impacts on sensitive habitats. Additionally such projects will not benefit from the Coastal Commission's strong track record for applying safe standards for building in light of sea level rise.

Surfrider California believes affordable housing can be built consistent with the voter-approved Coastal Act, not in spite of it.