California rental housing developers could be required to fund grocery store construction or set aside space for a future store near their projects under a bill being considered in the state Legislature.
The measure, AB 1674 by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, D-Sunnyvale, would require local governments to review proposed housing developments in a “food desert” — defined as an area that is both low-income and lacks adequate access to a large grocery store — or in an area at risk of becoming one, to determine whether the project would reduce the site’s capacity to accommodate a grocery store.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens
Under the bill, if a project would reduce space for a grocery store, the developer would be required to either provide equivalent space and infrastructure for a grocery store or contribute to a fund supporting a store within one-half mile of the housing development. The proposal would apply to new apartments, townhomes, condominiums, and mobile home parks.
In a March 23 opposition letter, the California Apartment Association and the California Building Industry Association wrote that the proposal could result in denial of housing approvals if a developer cannot demonstrate that grocery-site capacity is preserved or cannot meet the bill’s mitigation requirements.
The groups also raised concerns that the bill’s reference to areas “at risk” of becoming a food desert is undefined, potentially giving local governments broad discretion and leading to inconsistent application. CAA and CBIA urged lawmakers not to impose what they described as additional barriers, costs, and uncertainty on housing production.
In addition, the bill would establish a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program within the California Department of Food and Agriculture to support grocery store development or retention in underserved areas. According to an Assembly Agriculture Committee analysis, the proposal is intended to expand access to healthy food in low-income and low-access communities.
The measure passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee on a 5-0 vote on Wednesday, March 25, and was referred to the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development. The committee members urged the author to work with the opposition.