A powerful Southern California government agency is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay the controversial VMT law.

The Southern California Association of Governments — which represents six counties and more than 19 million people — spoke of housing shortage concerns and immediate negative impacts on minorities.

Making separate requests of their own to the governor for a delay were the Orange County Council of Governments and San Bernardino County.

COGs often are the primary planning and transportation agencies in their regions. They conduct studies and projects designed to improve and coordinate common governmental responsibilities across a county.

SB743: VMT Law

On July 1, new development projects will no longer be assessed a fee by how much traffic congestion is created.

Instead, VMT is applied to new developments. For instance, if a person drives to multiple places a day — work, store, soccer practice, etc. — all of those miles are counted up. Then the VMT fee is calculated for the development. The goal, according to the law’s supporters, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

An official with the Building Industry Association of Fresno-Madera Counties has estimated that the VMT fees for a 20-unit project in Clovis would be $460,000 over 30 years — or $23,000 a unit. And, while the developer bears the costs upfront, it is passed on to homebuyers and renters.

Southern California Association of Governments

SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 191 cities, and more than 19 million residents.

SCAG members include Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. and 191 cities in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles. Included are cities such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, Beverly Hills, Barstow, Compton, and Burbank.

SCAG is seeking a one-year delay on VMT implementation.

“Given that the implementation date of SB  743 comes at a time when California is facing a housing shortage and significant economic uncertainty, SCAG respectfully requests one final extension to the implementation of the vehicle miles traveled metric under SB 743,” the letter states.

Here is the full letter:

Southern California Association of Governments VMT Delay (Text)

Orange County COG

The Orange County COG addresses land use, energy, mobility, air quality, and water issues facing residents. It wants a two-year VMT delay.

“In addition to existing laws, which require the quantification and mitigation of air quality impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, from tail pipes, VMT introduces a new impact, and added costs, to the environmental review process. Disturbingly, it will apply even once we convert to 100% zero emission vehicles,” Orange County COG says.

“VMT regulation disproportionately impacts communities of color, and those farther away from job centers, which are often the most affordable areas. Not surprisingly then, these locations provide much-needed housing for low- and middle-class Californians. Measures to mitigate VMT, especially in rural areas, significantly drive up the costs of residential development.

“Our partners in the development community are sounding the alarm that VMT regulation will increase, not decrease, the cost of housing. They have identified that every $1,000 increase in the cost of a home eliminates 8,870 households from the ability to afford a home, putting the American dream of homeownership — the primary method of establishing economic stability, community participation and economic growth — further out of reach for those struggling to afford a home today.”

Here is the full letter:

Orange County COG VMT Delay (Text)

San Bernardino County

San Bernardino’s County Administrative Office sent a letter Newsom requesting a one-year VMT delay.

“The incorporation of VMT is in addition to existing laws which require the quantification and mitigation of air quality impacts. The adoption of VMT will require residential developers to quantify how many miles individuals will drive, which has the potential to increase the cost of a housing development, with the greatest impact to housing developments in remote rural areas that are located farther away from job centers,” wrote Curt Hagman, chairman of the county’s board of supervisors.

“While the county is committed to promoting environmental sustainability that strikes a balance with the local economy and connects communities through strategic investments and planned development, the implementation of SB 743 comes at a time when the state is facing a housing shortage and significant economic uncertainty.”

Here is the full letter:

San Bernardino COG VMT Delay (Text)

Madera County Delay Resolution

On Tuesday, the Madera County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 (one member was absent) to approve a resolution supporting a two-year delay of VMT. Madera now joins the boards of supervisors in Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Merced counties.

“The change in how transportation impacts are evaluated under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) will create substantial uncertainties regarding land use planning, development project approvals, and other factors that could constrain or discourage proposals for housing and other important land developments in the county,” the Madera resolution stated.

“Such constraints would, among other things, be expected to decrease the availability of housing and increase the affordability of housing within the county.”

The full resolution is here: