Here in Capitola, the city has taken all the steps required to remain in compliance with California’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation, or RHNA. For those who may not be familiar with the term, RHNA is a state law that requires each region — and the cities and counties within it — to plan for a specific number of new housing units over an eight-year period.

On the surface, this goal sounds simple enough. But in practice, it has been a complex, expensive and often frustrating process for cities like Capitola. We are being asked to overhaul long-standing land use and zoning codes through a consultant-driven process that is costly both in dollars and in staff time. Because Capitola has no undeveloped open space left, this means repurposing existing land, buildings and even businesses for additional housing.

The challenge doesn’t end there. Many of the new state housing laws also remove traditional safeguards such as Environmental Impact Reports, traffic studies and parking requirements. These reviews have historically allowed cities and their residents to evaluate how new developments would affect local neighborhoods. Without them, we are left with unanswered questions about how the influx of new residents from proposed housing projects will affect our police, fire, emergency services, roads and schools.

At a recent Capitola City Council meeting, several residents voiced their concerns about Capitola’s RHNA rezoning plans. Their question was straightforward: Why do we have to do this? The honest and somewhat disheartening answer is that these mandates come from the state of California. Local governments, including ours, have little choice but to comply.

The frustration many residents feel is not unique to Capitola. Across the state, cities such as Huntington Beach, Berkeley and Murrieta have raised similar concerns, especially with California Senate Bill 35 and its expansion, SB 423. These laws significantly reduce local control over development decisions by creating a “ministerial,” or by-right, approval process. This means that if a city has not met its state housing goals, developers can bypass traditional public hearings and environmental reviews, leaving locally elected officials and community members with little say in the process.

While SB 35 does include some criteria that projects must meet, it exempts many from a full review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Critics argue that this fast-tracked system can weaken a city’s ability to address issues like traffic congestion, noise and air pollution. Another concern is that developers, once given streamlined approvals, have up to four years to obtain construction permits. This creates the potential for projects to be treated as “entitlements” to be sold later, rather than as urgently needed housing.

The impact of these mandates can already be seen in neighboring communities. Recently, in Scotts Valley, a large office building once home to the technology company Seagate was demolished. The city’s mayor at the time expressed frustration that the decision was largely out of local control, driven instead by state housing requirements.

As mayor, I share in the concern that this one-size-fits-all approach does not account for the unique character and limitations of smaller communities like Capitola. While we all agree that addressing California’s housing crisis is important, we must also acknowledge that the solution cannot come at the expense of local voices, thoughtful planning and the preservation of community character.

So where do we go from here? First, we need to remain engaged and informed as a community. Residents should continue asking questions and sharing their concerns with City Council and staff — we are here to listen. Second, we need to work together to advocate for change at the state level. Contacting our elected representatives — our state senators and assemblymembers — is one of the most effective ways we can make our voices heard. It is critical that they understand how these laws are affecting communities like ours.

Lastly, while we comply with state mandates, we will also continue to do everything in our power to preserve what makes Capitola such a special place. Our city’s charm, history and community spirit are worth protecting. Growth and change are inevitable, but it is our responsibility to ensure they happen in a way that strengthens, rather than undermines, the fabric of our town.

Together, we can push for housing solutions that balance state goals with local needs — solutions that provide affordability and opportunity while respecting the unique character of Capitola.

Joe Clarke is the mayor of Capitola.