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Palo Alto council backs state bill to curb builder's‑remedy ‘abuse,’ votes 4‑3 to support SB 457
Summary
The City Council voted 4‑3 on April 7 to support SB 457 (Becker), a proposal that would change how the state's 'builder's remedy' can be applied. Supporters said the bill would prevent speculative or out‑of‑scale filings that undermine local planning; opponents warned it could inject uncertainty into Palo Alto's housing pipeline.
PALO ALTO, Calif. — On April 7 the Palo Alto City Council voted 4‑3 to support Senate Bill 457, legislation by Senator Josh Becker that would change how California’s builder’s remedy is applied. The measure aims to limit perceived misuse of the tool that allows housing projects to proceed when a jurisdiction does not have a certified housing element.
Supporters of SB 457 told the council the bill would deter speculative or out‑of‑scale filings that can sidestep local planning and environmental review. “This is a common‑sense reform that just restores balance, rewards good‑faith planning, helps balance the need of our community while still delivering the housing our region so…
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