State lawmakers back environmental carve-out for new San Diego stadium

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Set us as preferred SACRAMENTO — California state lawmakers on Sunday voted to fast-track a San Diego stadium and housing project by helping it avoid lawsuits over its impacts to the environment.State Sen.Akilah Weber Pierson (D-La Mesa) led the push for two bills to help Midway Rising, a project backed by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke.The proposed project will replace the decades-old Pechanga Arena, and includes a new 16,000-seat facility, 4,254 homes, including up to 2,000 affordable units, and commercial and outdoor space.

The site is south of Mission Bay.Weber Pierson sought the environmental exemption in final weeks of the legislative session through a process called “gut and amend,” which allows a lawmaker to completely rewrite a bill and avoid the normal process of having bill reviewed by legislative committees during public hearings.Her bill, Senate Bill 344, deems Midway Rising in full compliance with the state’s landmark California Environmental Quality Act, known was CEQA.

CEQA, adopted in 1970, has been credited for protecting California’s natural resources and minimizing pollution.The act also has been criticized for sometimes being weaponized by opponents of a project, including housing developments.Following the state Legislature’s vote, Weber Pierson called the legislation “an important step forward for San Diego and for the future of the Midway District.”“At a time when families are struggling to find affordable places to live, Midway Rising can deliver much-needed affordable housing, permanent jobs, community spaces, and health resources in a part of our city that is ready for investment,” Weber Pierson said.

Former San Diego Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, a longtime critic of the proposal, called Senate Bill 344 “reckless and rushed” because it didn’t allow the public to we...