SACRAMENTO\u00a0\u2014\u00a0California state lawmakers on Sunday voted to fast-track a San Diego stadium and housing project by helping it avoid lawsuits over its impacts to the environment.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-La Mesa) led the push for two bills to help Midway Rising, a project backed by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke.<\/p>\n
The proposed project will replace the decades-old Pechanga Arena, and includes a new 16,000-seat facility, 4,254 homes, including up to 2,000 affordable units, and commercial and outdoor space. The site is south of Mission Bay.<\/p>\n
Weber Pierson sought the environmental exemption in final weeks of the legislative session through a process called \u201cgut and amend,\u201d which allows a lawmaker to completely rewrite a bill and avoid the normal process of having bill reviewed by legislative committees during public hearings. <\/p>\n
Her bill, Senate Bill 344, deems Midway Rising in full compliance with the state\u2019s landmark California Environmental Quality Act, known was CEQA. CEQA, adopted in 1970, has been credited for protecting California\u2019s natural resources and minimizing pollution. The act also has been criticized for sometimes being weaponized by opponents of a project, including housing developments.<\/p>\n
Following the state Legislature\u2019s vote, Weber Pierson called the legislation \u201can important step forward for San Diego and for the future of the Midway District.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time when families are struggling to find affordable places to live, Midway Rising can deliver much-needed affordable housing, permanent jobs, community spaces, and health resources in a part of our city that is ready for investment,\u201d Weber Pierson said. <\/p>\n
Former San Diego Assemblymember Lori Salda\u00f1a, a longtime critic of the proposal, called Senate Bill 344 \u201creckless and rushed\u201d because it didn\u2019t allow the public to weigh in. Salda\u00f1a said the site isn\u2019t suitable for development because of sea-level rise that she said is causing street flooding in the area.<\/p>\n
Another Weber Pierson bill, Senate Bill 958, states that a project\u2019s increased building height, and any related noise, shadows, or the potential to attract wildlife, shall not be considered significant environmental impacts. <\/p>\n
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner\u2019s (D-Encinitas), who represents the region, expressed frustration with the legislation in a statement on social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want to address California\u2019s housing crisis, we need to allow for public scrutiny and the public to sue when appropriate to correct legitimate concerns and mistakes when assessing impacts,\u201d said Boerner, who didn\u2019t vote on either bill. <\/p>\n