August 6, 2021
Journalists and some lawmakers still believe that SB 9 and SB 10, opposed by thousands of Californians, won’t be applied in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones that run from the Mexican border on the south to the Wine Country on the north, almost without pause.
Let’s get this straight before the California State Assembly makes a terrible error and approves SB 9 or SB 10 later this month.
SB 9 and SB 10 allow for by-right ministerial approval of dense new development in California’s vast Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ).
Period.
SB 9 and SB 10 are both exempt from CEQA, leaving environmental devastation unchecked.
This is how to create another Paradise-level human disaster in California.
If approved by the Assembly this month, these bills would head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for a signature or veto.
Let’s think this out:
Under SB 9, six households are allowed where 1 home stands today — four units plus 2 granny flats, known as ADUs. In VHFHSZ areas.
No garages required, just a single “space” per household. Many cars will park on narrow streets. In a fire, most folks will try to evacuate.
No yards are required under SB 9, just a 4-foot setback, front, back and sides. Meaning, no defensible space against fire.
Four feet. Just enough to house the garbage cans.
Under SB 10, 14-unit apartment buildings allowed where 1 home stands today — 10 units plus 4 ADUs. In VHFHSZ areas.
Fourteen households on a single-family lot, all trying to evacuate during a fire.
Who will take the blame when a dense SB 9 or SB 10 “upzoned” community burns, and lives are lost?
Is this OK with the Assembly? We urge legislators to consider what SB 9 and SB 10 really do.