Housing developments: urban lot splits: historical resources.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's housing development legislation refines California's ministerial approval requirements for urban housing projects and lot splits, with particular focus on historical resource protections. The bill modifies existing law by establishing specific criteria for developments near historical properties while maintaining streamlined approval processes.

Under the amended provisions, local agencies must ministerially approve housing developments of up to two units, provided they meet location requirements and avoid impacts to historical resources. The bill prohibits developments on parcels individually listed in the State Historical Resources Inventory or designated as local landmarks. For projects near historic districts, demolition is limited to 25% of exterior wall areas and must preserve character-defining features of contributing structures.

For urban lot splits, the legislation maintains existing requirements that parcels be divided into no more than two approximately equal portions, with minimum sizes of 1,200 square feet unless locally reduced. New protections prevent splits requiring demolition of contributing structures in historic districts or existing exterior walls. Local agencies retain authority to adopt objective standards preventing adverse impacts to historically designated properties.

The amendments preserve the 60-day timeline for local agencies to approve or deny applications, with automatic approval if no decision is rendered. Agencies must provide written explanations for denials, including specific deficiencies and remediation steps. The bill allows local jurisdictions to impose conditions like easements, public access requirements, and parking standards, while maintaining prohibitions on excessive restrictions that would preclude development.