SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) – Spurred on by a lack of affordable housing, rising house prices and persistent homelessness, California lawmakers on Thursday pushed ahead with the second of two measures aimed at breaking local zoning ordinances.

Sponsored by Senate Leader Toni Atkins and backed by Parliament Speaker Anthony Rendon, both Democrats, Senate Law 9 would make it easier to build smaller second homes on what is now single-family homes. This can be up to four units, such as maisonettes or houses with attached residential units, if the property is divided into two equal parcels under the bill.

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The goal is to “open the door to more families to realize their version of the California dream,” said Atkins, “whether that means building a home for an older parent, creating a new source of income, the first home too or to be welcomed in a new neighborhood. “

The move largely bypasses local consent, although Atkins previously added opportunities for local governments to block construction that could endanger public safety or health, or be carried out by housing speculators. Those who apply for the loss splitting must swear that they want to live in one of the residential units as their main residence for at least three years.

It cleared the 80-member assembly with a non-partisan 45-19 vote.

The bill “will expedite duplexes and property divisions in areas designated for single-family homes,” objected Republican MP Janet Nguyen, who said she voted no but will be quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The convention on Monday passed Senate Bill 10, a related bill by Senator Scott Wiener that would make it easier for local governments to rededicate neighborhoods near public transportation for up to 10 residential units.

That bill came out 41 to 9 with no votes left, despite proponents saying it was recently amended to make it optional for local governments.

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“Legalizing small residential buildings near thoroughfares and in urban catchment areas will reduce environmental impact and reduce climate pollution,” said Brian Hanlon, executive director of advocacy group California YIMBY, in a statement.

Advocacy group California Community Builders argued that the measures will narrow an “ever-widening racial wealth gap in California,” where more than 60% of whites own their homes, compared with 35% of blacks and about 40% of Latinos.

But several Sacramento neighborhood groups said the bills “encourage large financial organizations to own home with an increasing percentage of lower and middle-class residents becoming long-term renters.”

The measures undermine both local control and environmental protection, they claim.

Both bills are going back to the Senate for final vote before the legislature is adjourned on September 10 for the year.

The Sacramento City Council is in the process of making the capital one of the first in the country to abolish traditional single-family zoning. The cities of Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis have issued similar ordinances in recent years. The state of Oregon has passed a law that removes traditional single-family zoning nationwide.

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Finding the right people to clean and repair your fireplace is critical to staying warm and safe for the coming winter. Here are the reasons to trust Bill’s Fireplace Center;

Bill and Josh have over 40 years of fireplace and chimney experience – a lot more than the average chimney sweep. This is important because with gas fireplaces in particular, more can be done than just sweeping out some soot.

Another vote of confidence is that Bill’s Fireplace Center has a physical location in North Big Spring that you can stop by, see some of the best options actually installed, and ask your questions.

At Bill’s, you can work on all types of fireplaces, including prefabricated metal, masonry, and freestanding stoves.

In older houses it is important to check the gas valves for leaks. That requires a licensed plumber who is Bill. If repairs are required it may require someone with masonry experience – which is what Bill is.

There are also times when a firebox needs to be repaired, whether it is from a fire that is too hot, water leaking through the chimney, or simply due to reasons of age – and being a welder, Bill can do the welding and sheet metal work necessary to repair the Firebox are required.

And – if there is carpentry work indoors or outdoors, he can also take care of it.

Perhaps you’ve decided this is the year to add the warmth, comfort, and convenience of gas logs, or to upgrade some older ones you already have. Bill can help you choose the right trunks to look good and add warmth. He sells, installs, and guarantees the most trusted gas protocols in the industry – Peterson. They come with a lifetime guarantee.

In his 40+ years in business, Bill Rodriguez has always believed that he will get every job right the first time – including yours. If there is ever a problem, he is ready to correct things quickly.

Chimney repair after roof replacement

Did you replace your roof because of the hail storm last April? There is something to watch out for here, says Bill. Most roofers focus more on the shingles than on the sheeting. This year Bill and Josh have received many calls from homeowners who have had water leaking through the chimney rim after a roof replacement. Chimney sweeping is a specialty of Bill, and he can seal yours tight so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow getting into your home.

Speaking of unwanted entry through the chimney, do you have a hat on? If you’ve had problems with birds or squirrels building nests or falling into your house through the chimney, have Bill’s install a chimney cap – these look great, protect from animals and the weather, and Bill can order one to install for you .

So now do you know who to call for chimney and chimney work?

Yes – Bill’s Fireplace Center!

Bill’s Fireplace Center is located at 1509 North Big Spring. Call them at 682-5157.

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Almost everything came together perfectly for the Buffalo Bills this off-season.

General Manager Brandon Beane made many contract adjustments, shoving money around, and persuading some players to cut salaries to get below the 2021 salary cap.

This allowed them to keep key players they thought would lose, improve their backup quarterback position, and replace outgoing wide receiver John Brown with Emmanuel Sanders.

Though the free agency isn’t over yet, the move that would complete the off-season would include franchise quarterback Josh Allen entering the fourth year of a five-year rookie deal he signed after serving in the 2018 NFL draft was selected as seventh overall.

With the help of newcomer Stefon Diggs, Allen exploded last season after taking small steps again as a rookie and in 2019.

He completed 69.2% of his passes while throwing 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to a passerby rating of 107.2. All of them were career highlights.

His 10 interceptions and 1.7% interception rate were career lows.

All of this helped the Bills win 13 regular season games and two more in the playoffs as Allen finished second in the MVP voting behind Green Bay counterpart Aaron Rodgers.

Beane spoke to Jim Trotter and Steve Wyche on the Huddle & Flow Podcast on Thursday and reiterated his wish to get on with the most important business soon.

“We’re really proud of Josh,” said Beane. “We’re going to work through the draft and probably sometime late spring to summer we’ll get these talks going. And who knows where they’re going. It has to be fair to them, fair to us.”

The need for speed is obvious. The sooner they can lock everyone up, the less it will cost them later, as the cost of franchise quarterbacks increases every year.

Even this year, when the salary cap was lowered to $ 182.5 million due to the coronavirus pandemic that disrupted the league’s cash flow, the Dallas Cowboys presented Dak Prescott with a four-year, $ 160 million ($ 126 million) deal Million US Dollars Guaranteed) is considered a smaller quarterback than Allen.

“It will help you with your planning the sooner you can get this deal,” said Beane. “Again, I hope we can do it, if not this year, next year. You don’t want to get into the franchise [tag] and all that stuff. It’s a tool to use when you need to keep a great player. But at the end of the day we want Josh here for the long term. We want him to be happy and of course we want it to be a deal where we can still have talented players around him because Josh is a competitor.

“He’s not wired to just pay him and then not be able to put things around him. So we’ll try to find the deal that works for him and for us.”

Though the bills have time because they can exercise the fifth year option for first round picks that would keep him in Buffalo for the next season at a relatively low cost, they’ll be aggressive knowing they are one good cause with so many players declining the chance to do more elsewhere.

Former NFL and college coach and current TV analyst Jim Mora Jr. sees only good things ahead for everyone. In an exclusive interview with Bills Central, Mora compared Allen to a Hall of Famer.

“I see a man we all know his arm talent is not in the charts,” said Mora, “but now he can throw with accuracy and he can come out of his pocket and he can throw. And I guess what really matters to him. ” His way of thinking is extremely special. He’s so competitive, he’s so damn tough, he’s got great leadership skills. You never have the feeling that you are not in the game, he makes amazing throws.

“When I look at the skills I see a John Elway, a tall, physical, tenacious and competitive player who can do all the throws.”

Mora was assistant coach to the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers during Elway’s tenure with the Denver Broncos.

“I remember going up against him and he threw the ball and I said, ‘How did he just do it? “I mean the ball bent,” said Mora. “You can’t make that throw. And you see Josh and you see the same thing. I don’t know if there is a quarterback in the league right now who can do all the throws he can do on a constant basis.

“So man, keep building around this guy and make sure you know he’s your next Jim Kelly, your bill for life.”

Nick Fierro is the editor of Bill’s Central. For the latest Bills news, visit www.si.com/nfl/bills and follow Fierro on Twitter @NickFierro.

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