LAist reports the update includes building-code guidelines intended to discourage certain hazardous industrial activities near homes and schools, and it adds a soil sampling/soil testing requirement for qualifying development before ground disturbance.

What the Community Plan Update changes for housing and zoning

The update is designed to guide future decisions on zoning and development across Boyle Heights. According to LAist, it would:

• Incentivize development in proposed zones by the L.A. River, where more mixed-use structures could be built (including apartments above smaller commercial uses).
• Prioritize housing production along commercial corridors and near transit to reduce automobile dependence, while aiming to safeguard existing residential neighborhoods.
• Update zoning standards to support neighborhood-serving retail (including corner shops / tienditas) and to improve compatibility between historic and potentially historic character and new construction.

Environmental protections: soil testing before certain ground disturbance

A key resident-facing change is the plan’s soil testing rule. LAist reports that for qualifying development projects, testing is intended to help ensure lead and arsenic are removed from the soil prior to any ground disturbance.

The City Attorney’s report describes the ordinance package as creating a Soil Sampling Subarea that applies across the plan area and is intended to require soil sampling for specified projects that have not already been cleared, to minimize risk associated with contamination caused by the former Exide Technologies facility.

For residents, that means the approved plan isn’t only about redrawing where development may occur—it also adds an environmental gate for certain kinds of ground-disturbing work.

Timeline: June 24 final action, July 1 second reading, July 20 last changed

Los Angeles City Clerk Council File records for Boyle Heights Community Plan Update (Council File 23-0861) show:

• June 24, 2026: Council action listed as final, with ordinances held over for second reading.
• July 1, 2026: Council adopted the item forthwith.
• July 20, 2026: The Council File record shows a last changed date of 07/20/2026.

Those dates matter because zoning and plan-implementation steps often finalize through a multi-step process, not just at the first vote.

What residents and businesses should watch next

As projects move from planning to permits and approvals, residents—especially those near sites that could involve ground disturbance—should treat the soil testing rule as a practical protection built into the adopted plan.

If you’re a property owner, developer, or contractor working in Boyle Heights, the Council File and the associated ordinance documents are the best place to confirm which projects fall under the plan’s soil sampling triggers and how compliance should be documented during permitting.

The adopted plan is now the reference point for future zoning decisions across the neighborhood—so the next meaningful step for most people will be seeing how it’s applied when specific developments seek entitlements and permits.

Sources

• Los Angeles City Clerk — Council File 23-0861
• LAist (Boyle Heights Beat) — summary of the approved update

What Crawford Bay is—and why the next step matters

Crawford Bay is the city’s approximately six-acre redevelopment site on the downtown waterfront. The city/EDA describes the project as a mixed-use opportunity meant to introduce new housing and a new hotel, along with dining and public waterfront spaces—partly driven by a desire to expand the “welcome mat” for visitors arriving in the downtown area.

From RFQ shortlisting to a second-phase RFP

The key change for residents is that the RFP phase is not a restart. The EDA says the second-phase RFP is publicly available for download, but only the three development teams shortlisted through the March 2026 RFQ are invited to submit proposals.

In this stage, the EDA is asking teams to provide more detailed development concepts and financial offers that can shape the ultimate selection of a development partner.

The “fast-track” timeline that led here

The EDA meeting minutes from April 21, 2026 show how the procurement sped forward:

• March 4, 2026: RFQ issued
• March 16, 2026: pre-proposal conference
• May 7, 2026: RFQ submission deadline
• By May 29, 2026: RFQ shortlisting scheduled
• June 2026: EDA plans to issue the RFP to developers
• Aug. 31, 2026: invited teams’ formal proposals due (second-phase RFP)
• End of 2026: stated goal to select and onboard a developer

That final “end of 2026” timing is a goal, not a guarantee; evaluation and negotiations can still take time.

What the city/EDA says it wants to see in proposals

While the submitted plans won’t be final until the EDA and partners negotiate a deal, the city/EDA has indicated the development concept should include a mix such as:

• Multifamily housing
• Entertainment, plus restaurants and shops
• A new hotel
• Public amenities and public waterfront spaces along the riverfront

What to watch next during the RFP review

Once proposals are submitted on Aug. 31, the practical questions for residents will be how teams balance competing priorities:

• Housing outcomes: what kind of multifamily plan is proposed
• Visitor/downtown uses: how entertainment, dining, and retail could fit the surrounding downtown
• Public access and design: what parts of the waterfront are truly public, and how amenities connect people to the Elizabeth River

Because the RFP phase is limited to the three shortlisted teams, it’s about selecting the best-fit proposal—not restarting the process from scratch.

Sources

• WHRO (Toby Cox), July 15, 2026 — Crawford Bay redevelopment fast-track and RFP deadlines
• Portsmouth Economic Development — Crawford Bay development/RFP project page
• Portsmouth EDA meeting minutes (April 21, 2026) — Crawford Bay procurement update

The vote comes after Mayor Andre Dickens issued a June 24, 2026 executive order. That order directed the city’s planning offices to refuse new applications for building permits, land disturbance permits, special use permits, special administrative permits, and rezonings tied to self-storage, secure-storage, and mixed-use storage facilities—until the next City Council meeting on July 6.

Officials say the temporary freeze is meant to preserve the current status quo while Atlanta implements new land-use regulations and uses a more structured review of neighborhood impacts—framing the issue around concerns like maintaining walkable, vibrant communities and making sure the right types of development serve the surrounding area.

What the 180 days means for neighbors and applicants

For the next 180 days, new self-storage development proposals are expected to face additional friction as the city finalizes or updates the rules governing how these facilities are reviewed. For residents, that can translate into more formal scrutiny of how a storage facility’s presence—such as its site scale and traffic/parking footprint—fits with nearby housing and commercial uses.

The policy is not described as a permanent ban. Instead, the ordinance and executive order are time-limited actions focused on new facilities and the permit/rezoning requests covered in the city documents.

There’s also an explicit carveout in the executive order: it does not apply to permits for repair or remediation work required for emergency life-safety concerns.

Sources

• Atlanta City Council press release — self-storage moratorium approved (July 6 council meeting context)
• City of Atlanta news release — executive order announced (June 24, 2026)
• Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) — resident-facing context on temporary self-storage ban/pause and next steps
• WSB Radio — local coverage explaining what the policy means for Atlanta residents and development pipeline

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 5:30 PM, the City Commission will hold a public hearing at City Hall, Town Hall Meeting Room (2nd floor), 118 E. Tyler Avenue. The hearing is scheduled to receive public input on the proposed 2026–2030 Five-Year Consolidated Plan, the proposed 2026–2027 One-Year Annual Action Plan, and the city’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.

How to participate (written comments and speaking)

The agenda lays out a written-comment option through the City’s Public Hearing and Citizen Communication Form:

• Word limit: comments are limited to 400 words or less.
• Deadline: written comments must be submitted before 12:00 PM on the day of the meeting.

For people who plan to speak during the public hearings, the agenda notes that time limits can apply if someone is signed up for multiple public hearings (with a combined limit of 5 minutes for all topics if signed up for two or more public hearings).

What the five-year plan vs. the one-year plan means

Under HUD’s consolidated planning framework, the five-year Consolidated Plan is the longer-range strategy for housing and community development priorities. The one-year Annual Action Plan is the near-term “to-do list” that translates those longer-range priorities into what the city plans to do during the program year covered by the action plan.

That’s why this July 1 public input moment matters: resident feedback can shape what information the City has in hand before it moves forward with the next phase of HUD planning and implementation.

Why fair housing and the “analysis of impediments” are part of the process

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing shows up in the planning cycle as part of the federal fair housing/civil-rights expectations tied to the CDBG/HOME community planning process. In practical terms, residents participating in this hearing are not just commenting on “housing programs”—they’re helping inform how barriers may be identified and considered within the City’s broader HUD planning work.

What “citizen participation” requires under HUD regulations

At the federal level, consolidated plan development is governed by a citizen participation plan. The regulations require that the plan include, at minimum, at least one public hearing to provide residents an accessible way to comment on the Consolidated Plan process.

This is what the City Commission’s July 1 public hearing is designed to fulfill in the overall timeline for consolidated planning.

What to watch next after the hearing

The agenda also lists action items after the public hearing. For example, it includes a separate item to consider approval of the One-Year Action Plan (Budget) for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 (CDBG and HOME), as recommended by the Community Development Advisory Board.

Bottom line: if you want your concerns reflected in what Harlingen prioritizes for HUD-funded housing and community development efforts, the July 1, 2026 public hearing—and the agenda’s written-comment process with a 400-word limit and a 12:00 PM deadline—are the most time-relevant steps.

Sources

• City of Harlingen City Commission agenda (Regular Meeting, July 1, 2026) — includes public hearing on proposed 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan, 2026–2027 Annual Action Plan, and Analysis of Impediments for Fair Housing
• HUD — Consolidated Planning (overview of Consolidated Plan + Annual Action Plan, how they fit together)
• 24 CFR § 91.105 — Citizen participation plan; local governments (federal rule text)

What Miami-Dade is proposing

The ordinance would add a new section to the Miami-Dade County Code requiring the County Mayor (or the Mayor’s designee) to develop and implement a same-day permitting program for eligible residential project permit applications. It also requires periodic reporting to commissioners every six months.

What kinds of projects would qualify

Under the ordinance text, the same-day permitting program would apply to certain minor residential projects. The eligible categories listed include:

• Fences 6 feet or less
• Gates
• Stairs and railings
• Driveways and pavers
• Trusses
• Pools
• Windows, doors, shutters, skylights, and garage doors
• Roofing and re-roofing
• Kitchen or bathroom remodels
• Interior or partial demolition
• Prefabricated sheds
• Minor, non-structural repairs
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing repair permits

The ordinance also specifies that the program would cover building permit applications and, where appropriate, certain public works permits or zoning improvement permits (ZIPs). It also notes that the County Mayor/designee could place limitations based on the complexity of the review.

What’s excluded (important for residents)

The ordinance is also explicit about what would not qualify for the same-day program. Projects would be excluded if they involve:

• Structural review
• Projects on properties in historic districts
• Projects on properties with open code enforcement cases
• Projects intended to legalize existing violations

For residents trying to speed up a timeline, these exclusions are the biggest reality check: the same-day pathway is targeted to minor work and is not meant for cases that require more complex or compliance-focused review.

How the process would work

The ordinance describes a two-step approach designed to allow staff to review applications during the appointment. Applicants would be required to electronically submit the necessary documents and plans before an in-person meeting with permitting staff. At that meeting, staff would provide same-day application review and—as appropriate—same-day approval.

That “as appropriate” language matters. Same-day approval would depend on whether an application meets the ordinance’s eligibility rules and whether the required materials are submitted in advance.

After enactment: implementation and six-month reporting

If adopted, the County Mayor (or designee) would implement the program through an implementing order that would be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The ordinance also requires written reports every six months placed on a full-board agenda without committee review.

Those reports would include:

• Total number of same-day permit applications submitted during the period
• Total number approved on the same day
• Total number not approved on the same day
• For applications not approved the same day, explanations for why—such as recurring issues, deficiencies, staffing constraints, or other delay factors

When it could take effect (and what to watch next)

The ordinance states it would become effective ten (10) days after the date of enactment, unless vetoed by the Mayor. If vetoed, it would become effective only after an override by the Board.

Next steps for residents

If you’re planning a minor residential improvement that appears in the ordinance’s listed categories, the key practical step is to make sure you’re prepared to follow the program’s procedure—especially the requirement to submit documents and plans electronically before the in-person appointment. For baseline guidance on navigating Miami-Dade’s zoning and development workflow, the County’s Zoning and Development Services information is the starting point.

And because the ordinance excludes properties with open code enforcement and projects requiring structural or historic-district review, residents should confirm whether any of those conditions apply before assuming same-day approval is available for their situation.

Sources

• Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners agenda listing (Ordinance 261075)

This scoping step is an early (but influential) part of the City’s CEQA process: it’s when the public can comment on what topics, geography, and types of analysis the Draft EIR should cover—before the City releases the Draft EIR for a later round of review.

The City’s agenda materials also say the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Phase 2 EIR was set to publish July 3, 2026, with the public comment period ending Aug. 3, 2026.

Key dates

• July 15, 2026 (3:00 p.m.): Planning Commission EIR scoping session for General Plan Update Phase 2
• Aug. 3, 2026: Deadline for public comments on the Phase 2 EIR Notice of Preparation

What Phase 2 is covering (and what the EIR will analyze)

According to the Planning Commission agenda, Phase 2 of the Oakland 2045 General Plan Update is currently underway and would include updates to multiple elements, including:

• Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE)
• Estuary Policy Plan (EPP), described as being incorporated into the new LUTE
• Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR) Element
• Noise Element
• A new Infrastructure and Capital Facilities Element

The agenda also describes the Phase 2 EIR as assessing environmental impacts of the updated LUTE (with the incorporated EPP), OSCAR, Noise, and the new Infrastructure and Capital Facilities element—along with related Phase 2 amendments, including potential Planning Code, Municipal Code, and Zoning Map amendments.

What “EIR scoping” means for residents

Scoping is where residents can influence what the City studies later in the Draft EIR.

• It’s not the final policy decision. Scoping helps define the scope of environmental review; it does not itself approve General Plan language or zoning changes.
• It’s a chance to flag questions early. The City says the scoping session is intended to receive comments on the types of information and analysis the EIR should consider.

Practical things you can comment on

If you’re planning to speak at the July 15 session or submit comments during the NOP window, residents often find it helpful to organize remarks around the element categories the Draft EIR will later address. For example:

• Land use + transportation analysis: Ask the City to consider the transportation and land-use implications tied to LUTE updates.
• Estuary-related impacts: For areas connected to the Estuary Policy Plan, comment on what environmental effects should be analyzed and where.
• Open space, conservation, and recreation: Flag where you want the EIR to carefully analyze tradeoffs affecting parks, conservation areas, and recreational access.
• Noise exposure and protection: Encourage the EIR to clearly evaluate noise-related impacts and sensitive locations.
• Infrastructure and capital facilities: Ask what kinds of infrastructure needs (and related environmental effects) should be evaluated in the EIR.

If you want to direct questions to the City staff team, the Planning Commission agenda lists generalplan@oaklandca.gov as the contact for further information.

Where to follow the Phase 2 process

For background on Phase 2 and links to the City’s supporting materials, check the City of Oakland’s Oakland 2045 General Plan Update hub and the General Plan Update supporting project documents page.

Sources

• City of Oakland Planning Commission agenda (July 15, 2026) — EIR scoping session details and deadlines

In a 13-1 vote, council decided to “note and file” the proposal, according to MyNewsLA. The City Clerk’s record for the July 1 meeting shows a 13-1-1 vote, with Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky casting the “no” vote and Councilman Curren Price absent.

The action does not repeal or pause Measure ULA itself.

Separately, the Los Angeles Office of Finance says updated Measure ULA transfer-tax thresholds apply for transactions closing after June 30, 2026—meaning beginning July 1.

What Measure ULA is

Measure ULA is part of Los Angeles’ real property transfer tax system. The Office of Finance describes it as an excise tax tied to documents that convey real property within the city (not an annual property tax), calculated based on the consideration or value of the real property interest conveyed.

The Office of Finance also says the city’s base transfer tax applies to covered transactions, and the Measure ULA tax is an additional layer when the value of the property conveyed clears the relevant thresholds.

The ballot measure the council set aside

MyNewsLA reports the council scrapped the plan to exempt newly constructed multi-family and mixed-residential buildings from Measure ULA for a 10-year period. LAist similarly described the exemption proposal as a reform effort that Yaroslavsky had been pushing to put before voters.

What changes anyway on July 1: new Measure ULA thresholds for some deals

Even with the 10-year exemption plan held back, the Office of Finance says new Measure ULA thresholds apply for qualifying transactions that close after June 30, 2026.

• For transactions closing after June 30, 2026, the new thresholds are $5,400,000 and $10,900,000.
• Transactions with values over $5,400,000 but under $10,900,000 are assessed a 4% ULA tax rate.
• Transactions with values $10,900,000 or more are assessed a 5.5% ULA tax rate.

Because this transfer tax is driven by the value used for the conveyance and the closing date, buyers, sellers, and developers may want to confirm how the updated thresholds apply to their specific transaction timing—especially for deals with closing dates around July 1.

What to watch next

MyNewsLA reports the July 1 discussion on Measure ULA also included directions to improve implementation, and to explore additional approaches—such as a possible pilot tax credit program and changes aimed at strengthening reporting and oversight.

Sources

• Los Angeles City Clerk — Council File 26-0782 (Measure ULA ballot-measure action/vote record)
• Los Angeles Office of Finance — Measure ULA FAQ (thresholds/rates effective for transactions closing after June 30, 2026)
• MyNewsLA — ‘Council Holds Off On Measure ULA Exemption for New Housing’ (July 1, 2026)
• LAist — ‘Mansion tax’ reform dies (Measure ULA reform ballot-measure context)