Palo Alto Daily Post
By Emily Mibach
A housing bill that would allow four homes to replace a single-family residence has moved forward in the state Legislature, with Peninsula state Sen. Josh Becker supporting the measure.
Senate Bill 9 went May 26 from the state Senate to the Assembly, which will likely further amend the divisive bill. Becker, D-Menlo Park, Clerkwas among the 28 “aye” votes for the bill.
“We all want to make sure our community is a place where our children can stay and thrive,” Becker said. “This is the bill, and I’ve been trying to help move it in the direction, that we get closer to that goal.”
SB9, proposed by Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, would allow the owner of a single-family home to build a second home or a duplex on their lot with only ministerial approval from the city. Ministerial approval, also known as “by right” approval, means that the city must approve the proposal if it meets a set of fixed standards. SB9 would also allow, with ministerial approval, a single-family lot to be split into two lots of roughly the same size.