Proposition 45, on the 3 November ballot, would set binding time limits on environmental and permit reviews of projects it defines as "essential", according to the state's Legislative Analyst.
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THE LEAD
Proposition 45 is on the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 ballot. The Legislative Analyst's Office analysis titles it "Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects. Initiative Statute." It is a proposal, not law. The California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, requires an agency to consider how a project might negatively affect the environment before approving it. The analysis says state and local government agencies do this review. When a project could significantly affect the environment, the agency must do a more detailed review called an environmental impact report, or EIR.
The analysis says Proposition 45 "creates more binding time limits for state and local governments to do both CEQA and permitting reviews." The limits cover determining whether an application is complete, finishing the EIR, and granting other approvals and permits. If an agency misses the 365-business-day limit for finishing the EIR, the analysis says an applicant could request an agency hearing and potentially file a lawsuit. It also says the measure creates a time limit for courts to resolve legal challenges.
The new procedures would apply to projects the measure defines as "essential". The analysis says applicants for those projects could use either the new procedures or the existing ones. For those projects, the analysis says an agency would have to list all the information an application needs before it is submitted. An agency would assess impacts under the laws and standards in place when the application is filed. An applicant could develop only one project alternative. The agency would limit how long it accepts public comments. For lawsuits, the analysis says a court could stop only the part of a project that failed CEQA, not the whole project. (analysis)
The analysis names none of the five cities. Each city reviews projects under CEQA, so the time limits would reach its reviews of eligible projects if the measure passes. The state's CEQA database lists each as a lead agency on its own filings: Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel and Temple City.
The analysis estimates initial costs to state and local governments "in the high tens of millions of dollars annually, potentially exceeding $100 million annually." (analysis)
DEVELOPMENT WATCH
Monterey Park's Planning Commission was asked to take Deerfield back on Tuesday, with staff recommending approval. The agenda packet lists the Deerfield Mixed-Use Development at 740-780 W. Garvey Avenue and 220 S. Atlantic Boulevard under Old Business. It recommends the commission consider adopting a resolution recommending that the City Council approve Density Bonus No. 26-01, Development Agreement No. 24-03, Tentative Map No. 24-03 (County Map No. 84680) and Zone Amendment No. 26-01 (agenda packet). The commission was asked to make that recommendation at its 6:30 p.m. meeting. A staff recommendation is a proposal, not a decision.
Last week's issue reported the council was asked to choose a track. The council's action record for 7 October shows the Deerfield item among those "Approved/Adopted on Consent Calendar". It records Director Hou announcing "an amendment to the Public Hearing date as Nov. 18 on Item No. 10M", which makes the hearing date 18 November (action record).
The same Planning Commission agenda adds a walls-and-fences study session. Item 10.A is a "Work Study Session -- Walls/Fences and View Preservation". The commission is asked to conduct the study session, receive a presentation from staff, and provide recommendations for the City Council's consideration (agenda packet). The packet's CEQA language calls it an informational study session.
The McDonald's item is a receive-and-file of a permit that already has a number. The commission was asked to receive and file Administrative Use Permit No. 26-06, which allows a drive-through and an outdoor dining and seating area at the McDonald's at 720 West Garvey Avenue (agenda packet).
Monterey Park's 7 October closed session on 1688 West Garvey Avenue ended with "No reportable action taken in Closed Session." The special meeting's action record lists a conference with real property negotiators on that address, covering "Purchase price and terms of payment". The negotiating party is "The Foundation, fka Cesar Chavez Foundation" (agenda). The record is an annotated agenda, not approved minutes.
Monterey Park's Traffic Commission meets Thursday with a Vision Zero Plan presentation. The agenda sets a regular meeting for Thursday, 15 October, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 320 West Newmark Avenue. Item 6.A is "Vision Zero Plan". The agenda packet carries no document for it. The consent item is approval of the minutes of the 16 July meeting (agenda).
Rosemead's council was asked to extend its Via microtransit contract. The 13 October agenda asked the council to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an amendment with Via for the Rosemead Go and Go Plus program. The negotiated amounts are $1,356,016 for January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027; $1,420,696 for January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2028; and $2,181,895 for January 1, 2029, through June 30, 2030 (agenda). The council was also asked to give staff direction on service enhancements and program modifications.
Temple City's Planning Commission was asked to hear objective design standards for dense housing and mixed-use zones. The 13 October agenda lists a public hearing on PL 25-4916, to establish Objective Design Standards for High Density Residential and Mixed - Use zones and amend the Zoning Code's building articulation standards. The recommendation is to adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance and resolution. That is a recommendation to the council, not a decision.
San Gabriel's historic preservation commission was scheduled to hold a special-session workshop on Wednesday. The agenda for the 6:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 425 South Mission Drive, lists the workshop, "WORKSHOP: SAN GABRIEL HISTORIC INVENTORY AND REGISTER", beside approval of the 11 March minutes. The stated step is to "Solicit feedback and comments from the HPCRC on next steps." The agenda names no property, and nothing is decided at a workshop.
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
Jing Cantonese Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant is the name on a county statement filed October 6 for 1412 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra. The registered owner is PASL Restaurant Group LLC.
Other statements in the same batch:
Prime One Pharmacy, on South Garfield Avenue, Alhambra. Owner: L&L RX, Inc. Filed October 8. County statement
Unity Animal Hospital, 369 W. Main St. Unit D-E, Alhambra. Owner: Vettery DVM Inc. Filed October 6. County statement
Flash Lending and IQ Lending USA, one statement, 9139 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City. Owner: EJK Realty Inc. Filed October 8. County statement
Allied Pacific of California IPA, 1668 S Garfield Ave. 2nd Fl, Alhambra. Owner: Allied Physicians of California, A Professional Medical Corporation. Filed October 7. County statement
Fourteen business names were in the batch; twelve are in the five cities. Six of those are not listed here, and 17 statements at residential addresses are withheld. County search
A statement is a name registered at an address, not an opening.
COUNCIL WATCH
Alhambra — The council's 12 October agenda asked it to award National Auto Fleet Group a contract for three patrol vehicles at $334,218. It also asked the council to adopt Resolution No. R2M26-31, transferring an Urban Search and Rescue fire truck to the City of West Covina. The agenda lists a presentation of a check for one million dollars in state funding for the Alhambra Community Center and Emergency Operations Center. No action record has posted. Minutes of the 28 September meeting record the council approving Resolution R2M26-27, a Preferred Parking District in the Hellman Avenue neighborhood, and the city's "Let's Grow Alhambra" tree-planting grant application. Next regular meeting: Monday 26 October, 6:00 p.m., per the city calendar. No agenda is posted yet. A notice cancels the Historic Preservation Commission's 28 October meeting. Notices also canceled the Library Board and Youth Commission meetings set for 13 October.
Monterey Park — The council met Wednesday 7 October. Its action record is an annotated agenda, not approved minutes. It shows the Enterprise Fleet Management vehicle-replacement amendment pulled from the consent calendar and marked "Approved": a one-time payment of $204,821 plus annual payments not to exceed $290,000 over five years, "a total amount not to exceed $1,654,821". The same record shows an amendment raising the Adaptive Traffic/Traffic Responsive Control System Project budget by $1,500,000, from $9,000,000 to $10,500,000, with $1,500,000 in Measure R funds appropriated, marked "Approved on Consent Calendar". It notes "Council Member Yang declared a potential property conflict". The record also shows Resolution No. 2026-R82, the El Niño emergency resolution, and Resolution No. 2026-R81, the Barnes Park pool grant application, "Approved/adopted on Consent Calendar". The Deerfield hearing and the Traffic Commission meeting are in Development Watch. Next regular meeting: Wednesday 21 October. The city's portal had no files published as of 14 October.
Rosemead — The council's regular meeting was Tuesday 13 October. Its agenda asked the council to "approve the cancellation of October 27, 2026, City Council meeting due to lack of quorum". The agenda says "The next City Council meeting will take place on November 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m." The city's upcoming-meetings table still lists a 27 October council meeting at 7:00 p.m. The same agenda asked for approval of a City Manager Agreement. The item title reads "Consideration of City Manager Agreement with Kanika Kith"; the recommendation reads "That the City Council approve the City Manager Agreement between the City of Rosemead and Kanita Kith." The agenda spells the first name two ways. No minutes or action record is posted. The Via microtransit contract is in Development Watch. The city calendar lists "Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled" for 19 October at 7:00 p.m., with a notice link. The upcoming table still lists the meeting. One of two 6 October Parks Commission recordings, clip 3686, recording page, now returns an HTTP 404. The city has given no reason.
San Gabriel — The council's next regular meeting is Tuesday 20 October; its agenda posted 14 October. The Historic Preservation Commission's workshop is in Development Watch; see the commission's agenda page.
Temple City — The city's notice says the City Council Regular Meeting scheduled on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. "is hereby cancelled". The next regular meeting is Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The council held a special meeting Tuesday 13 October. Its agenda asked the council to authorize a Foothill Transit Bus Stop Enhancement Program grant agreement of $40,000, adopt a capital project for bus shelters, and approve an agreement with Brasco International for shelters at not more than $36,000. It also asked the council to accept completion of the $5,475,688 pavement project by Onyx Paving Company, Inc.
Also tracked
San Gabriel Unified — Next regular meeting Tuesday 20 October per the adopted schedule. No agenda is posted. Meeting listing.
Alhambra Unified — Board of Education meets Tuesday 27 October. Closed session is at 5:00 p.m., open session at 6:00 p.m. No agenda is posted. Event page.
NOTICED
New metal bus stop covers and fixtures are going in along Valley Boulevard. I don't know yet who is installing them, how many stops are getting them, or whether the old shelters and benches are going away. If you ride a bus on Valley, or you've seen a crew at your stop, hit reply and tell me which one. — Pat
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