Bill to curb parcel‑map appeals and TEFRA delays aims to speed affordable housing finance

Sen. Scott Wiener presented SB 677 as a technical, targeted fix to two financing and approval bottlenecks he said are being used to delay or derail affordable housing projects. The bill would bar appeals of parcel maps for housing developments in urbanized areas served by public water and sewer when the appeal comes from an interested person (distinct from public officials or the subdivision applicant). It also would make local TEFRA (federal tax‑exempt bond endorsement) inaction subject to the Housing Accountability Act so jurisdictions cannot thwart bond‑funded projects by refusing to hold or endorse the required TEFRA hearing.

Affordable housing developers, municipal finance officials and issuers testified that frivolous parcel‑map appeals and canceled TEFRA hearings had delayed or risked projects, sometimes threatening scarce bond awards. Greg Comenor and a Mission Housing representative described a recent San Francisco project that survived an appeal but incurred legal fees and delay that could have jeopardized financing.

Rural counties and other stakeholders acknowledged the intent but asked the author to refine TEFRA language to ensure compatibility with federal rules; the author committed to continue working with stakeholders on that technical language and to accept committee amendments.

The committee voted to pass SB 677 as amended to the Assembly Committee on Local Government; the author said he would continue negotiations on TEFRA mechanics with stakeholders and bond counsel.