California’s SB 375 Falls Short in Streamlining Transit-Oriented Development, But this Could be Fixed

Jamey Volker, Bailey Affolter, Nick Marantz, Susan Pike and Graham DeLeon

Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series from Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis

Abstract: In California and many other states, new development projects must undergo an environmental impact analysis as part of the approval process. In California, this happens through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). While CEQA is designed to ensure thoughtful consideration of environmental effects, it can also invite litigation that can delay or derail projects, even for projects that may benefit the environment, such as transit-oriented development (TOD). TOD aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and its associated impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), by locating housing, jobs, and amenities near high-frequency public transit. But when environmental review requirements delay or discourage TOD, the result can be to push development to less accessible areas, leading to more driving, more emissions, and fewer housing options— undermining the very goals CEQA was meant to protect.

Keywords: Social; and; Behavioral; Sciences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-04-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ppm and nep-tre
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