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Council adopts zoning text amendment to streamline some housing approvals after union raises labor‑standards concerns
Summary
Council voted 5–0 to waive second reading and adopt Zoning Text Amendment 2025‑1 to streamline certain housing approvals; Carpenters Union representatives urged a continuance, saying the streamlined process risks enabling projects without AB 2011 and SB 423 labor protections and asked for a written verification/enforcement plan.
The council adopted a zoning text amendment (ZTA 2025‑1) that updates multiple chapters of the municipal code to streamline certain housing development approvals, including clarifications related to site plan, ministerial approvals and design review.
"This item was presented at the March 3 meeting... since that time staff has not received any comments," said Miguel Galvez, contract city planner, who recommended that the council find the amendment CEQA‑exempt, waive a second reading and adopt the ordinance.
During the public hearing, Thomas Rourke, a field representative with the Carpenters Union, asked the council to continue the item. He said a parallel streamlined approval path could benefit developers while failing to ensure labor standards required by state laws such as AB 2011 and SB 423. "We would ask if the city is going to create new ministerial approval processes, that there be a new procedure for the city staff to verify that projects which have labor standards... are complying," Rourke said, requesting a written enforcement plan that could include revoking permits for noncompliance.
Council members discussed the union's request. Council member O'Paugh noted he did not feel he had enough information to delay the action but said staff could follow up; other members said policy can be changed later if gaps are found. Council member O'Paugh moved to approve the resolution as drafted; the motion was seconded by Council member Wallace and passed on a roll‑call vote, 5–0. The mayor asked the union to leave contact information so staff can coordinate follow‑up.
The ordinance was adopted tonight; council did not add a specific labor‑verification procedure at the meeting, but staff were asked to follow up with the union.
