Housing Development in a Changing Regulatory Landscape
Date: Monday, November 2
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: 75200 Classic Club Blvd., Palm Desert
APA California Inland Empire is teaming up with the APWA Southern California Chapter, Coachella Valley Branch, for a joint lunch and panel discussion.
State housing legislation is changing how local agencies review and approve development. This panel will cover:
🔹 The key housing laws behind those changes
🔹 Lessons learned from recent projects in the Coachella Valley
🔹 Ways to improve collaboration between planning, public works, and development approvals
🔹 New tools that support more efficient housing review and permitting
Featuring Speakers:
Taylor Libolt Varner, Policy Specialist, Amplify Communities
Ryan Stendell, Assistant City Manager & Public Works Director, City of Rancho Mirage
Matthew Burris, Principal, Burris Planning Group
Eric Ceja, Assistant City Manager, City of Indian Wells
Thank you to our sponsor, BKF Engineers, for making this event possible.
RSVP by October 23: https://lnkd.in/gBjvH_2D
Planners, engineers, public works staff, and housing practitioners are all welcome. We hope to see you there!
California Permit Streamlining Academy – Accepting Applications!
The California Permit Streamlining Academy, an initiative funded by GO-Biz and led by CALED, has opened the competitive application process for its first training cohort.
Please see details below and share with any partners that may be interested.
California Permit Streamlining Academy (CaPSA)
CaPSA offers jurisdictional executives and staff an opportunity to participate in training and professional consultation. The program is designed to help participating jurisdictions achieve practical, measurable improvements in their permitting processes and includes a $25,000 stipend for jurisdictions that complete the process and meet all program requirements.
Training Application due by November 2 at 12:00 pm!
Additional Information:
Zoom link for History Symposium 2026: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82921025388?pwd=man2fm7c17aKuV9Msqbjk0vAh1amD5.1
Change of Use & Occupancy Workshop
Join the workshop where we will discuss linking building code, land use, and economic development for existing buildings.
Speaker: Chris Kimball, PE, SE, FPE, MCP, CBO
Location: 20010 Orange Terrance Pkwy, Riverside, CA 92501
Date: Wednesday, November 4
Schedule
Project Impacts: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Networking Lunch 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Code Application: 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $85 with lunch included
Register: https://foothillicc.regfox.com/icc-foothill-chapter-meeting-november-2026
HCD Annual Progress Report (APR) Webinar
Join the American Planning Association (APA) Inland Empire Section, APA Orange County Section, and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments for a planner-focused webinar bringing the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) virtually to Southern California. With the Annual Progress Report (APR) due April 1, HCD will walk through what’s new this year and what other agencies are asking about: like new income category reporting and how to report non-deed-restricted units. Expect a brief presentation, real-time Q&A, and clear, implementation-oriented guidance.
Location: Join Zoom Webinar
Date and time: Wed, Feb 11, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT
Organizer: Taylor Libolt Varner, tlvarner@nationalcore.org
Lunch-N-Learn – HCD Annual Progress Review Presentation
PEN Oral History Project
Sponsored by APA California, the PEN Oral History Project was initiated in 2025 to recognize and honor accomplished California planners and other individuals whose career achievements and contributions to the profession demonstrate excellence in planning and offer aspirational role models for planners.
The mission is two-fold: 1) to profile, respect, and increase awareness of planning pioneers; and 2) to inform, provoke thought, stimulate interest, and elicit action on important planning topics.
The project consists of recorded interviews accessible from this webpage: https://www.apacalifornia.org/about-us/affiliates/planner-emeritus-network/pen-oral-history-project/
New interviews will be added each year in the order they were recorded.
🎉 Join Us for the APA & AEP Inland Empire Holiday Mixer! 🎉
🍽️ Free Event | Food Provided
We’re excited to invite you to our 2025 Holiday Mixer, hosted jointly by APA Inland Empire and California Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) Inland Empire! Come connect with peers, celebrate the season, and enjoy great food and festivities.
📅 Friday, December 5th, 2025
📍 Thompson Brewery
9900 Indiana Ave., Riverside, CA 92503
✨ Canned Food + Raffle:
Bring a canned food item and receive a raffle ticket for our annual giveaway!
Help us spread the word — feel free to share the flyer with your network.
We look forward to celebrating with you! Please reach out to Kassie Vickers with any questions.
🌵 IE APA YEP Coachella Valley Social Mixer! 🌵
The Inland Empire APA Young & Emerging Planners (YEP) are headed out to the desert for a fun evening of connection, conversation, and community!
Join us at Luchador Brewing Company in Cathedral City for a free social mixer — meet fellow planners, unwind after work, and enjoy some great food (on us!) 🍻🌮
📅 Thursday, November 20, 2025
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Luchador Brewing Company
68510 E Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City
Whether you’re a student, emerging professional, or a seasoned planner who enjoys mentoring new talent, we’d love to see you there!
Housing Law Tetris: Finding the Policy That Fits Your Parcel (1 Law CM Credit)
The passage of AB 130 and SB 131 earlier this year marks the peak of nearly a decade of steadily loosening rules for infill housing. Today, there are more tools than ever to deliver housing—SB 6, AB 2011, SB 35/423, and a wide range of CEQA exemptions for infill and affordable projects. Each pathway comes with its own nuances. For instance, AB 130 eliminates wage and affordability requirements from prior legislation—but only for projects under 85 feet.
How do you know which law fits your site best? Who can help you navigate the fine print—your attorney, your architect, or both? Join us for an in-depth conversation with seasoned development experts. Together, we’ll unpack the evolving landscape of California’s infill housing law and how to align the right policy with your parcel.
Lawyer Panel
- Kevin Ashe, Esq., Holland & Knight
- Morgan Gallagher, Esq., Cox Castle
📅 Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 🕠 5:30–8:30 PM
📍 Andrei’s Restaurant | 2607 Main St, Irvine, CA 92614
Cost: $150.00
Register here: https://www.peopleforhousing.org/events/fall-2025-oc-housing-leaders-forum-fundraising-reception/
CM Credit page: https://www.planning.org/events/eventsingle/9318441/
2025 Historic Symposium
RSVP Here: https://lnkd.in/gDsqH9TY
Event Highlights
🖥️(Free/Zoom) Virtual Symposium – Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 | 12:00–1:30 PM
—Gain insights from experts on preservation initiatives shaping the Inland Empire’s future. Speakers from the City of Ontario, and CSU-San Bernardino will be presenting.
ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87802046992?pwd=1rBBi9D8ddvRWwT4AFMYr1q6nycxBk.1
🚶♀️(Free/Limited Spots) Walking Tour – Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 | Historic Downtown Redlands. Explore Redlands’ rich history through a guided walking tour.
🍖🍻(Free) Social Mixer – Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 | Escape Craft Brewery – Downtown Oasis, Redlands. Network with fellow attendees at this APA-IE/ California Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) IE.
AEP-IE co-sponsored event.
👤 Organizer: Tony Lopez | admin@ies-apa.org
🚶♀️✨ Join us for a collaborative Firm Tour with APA Inland Empire APA Orange Section‘s Section Young and Emerging Planners, hosted by Fehr & Peers
Location: Fehr & Peers OC Office (101 Pacifica #300, Irvine, CA 92618)
Date and Time: Friday, September 26 @ 11:00am
⚠️ Spots are limited – don’t miss out!
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gDZp3jeW
This is a great opportunity to:
✅ Get an inside look at the work and culture of Fehr & Peers
✅ Network with fellow emerging planners across the region
✅ Learn more about career pathways in transportation planning
📢 Calling all Planning Commissioners and aspiring leaders in local government!
Join APA Inland Empire, RWG Law, and MNS Engineers, Inc. for an interactive Planning Commissioner Workshop on September 4, 2025, in Eastvale! 🌆
Gain essential insights on:
🗳️ Running public meetings
⚖️ Entitlement findings, due process & the Brown Act
📜 Legal updates & legislative trends
🤝 Plus, network with fellow commissioners across the region!
📍 Location: Staybridge Suites, Eastvale
💵 Cost: $75 (includes dinner & drink)
🕕 Time: 6–9 PM
📲 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gtA9dVHb
Don’t miss this chance to grow your knowledge and expand your planning network! 🌟
🍻Join us for a fun evening of connection and conversation!
📍 Karl Strauss, Temecula
📅 Saturday, August 30 | 6–9pm
NO RSVP needed
The APA Inland Empire Young & Emerging Planners (YEP) invite all planners — students, early-career professionals, and seasoned experts — to come out for a free social mixer! No RSVP needed, just show up and enjoy a relaxed night with fellow planning professionals.
All are welcome — see you there! 👋
Please reach out to Kassie Vickers and Sophia Hernandez with any questions.
🚨 Big policy shifts are happening in Sacramento — are you caught up?
Join us on August 20th for the Planning Policy Power Hour, a free virtual session designed to help planners stay ahead of the curve. From CEQA reform to housing streamlining and climate resilience legislation, we’ll break down the key updates shaping the future of planning in California.
Register here: https://lnkd.in/gHcjpJU7
This session also sets the stage for our Fall 2025 Legislative Update in October, where we’ll take a deeper dive into this year’s legislative impacts.
📅 Don’t miss this timely opportunity to get oriented and informed!
Contact APA IES Board Member Taylor Libolt Varner (tlvarner@nationalcore.org) for questions.
YEP Social Mixer In Redlands -Friday, June 6 @ 6pm
Join APA IE YEP for a fun and FREE social mixer at Escape Brewery Downtown Oasis in Redlands! Network with fellow planners over great food and good vibes. No RSVP is needed, food will be provided. Students and early staged professionals are encouraged to attend.
Friday, June 6
6 PM
440 Oriental Ave, Redlands, CA
See you there!
Social Mixer In Riverside Thursday, April 10 @ 6 PM
🌮🎉 Join APA IE YEP for a fun and FREE Social Mixer at Tio’s Tacos in Downtown Riverside next week! Network with fellow planners over great food and good vibes. No RSVP is needed, food will be provided. Students and early staged professionals are encouraged to attend.
📅 Thursday, April 10 2025
⏰ 6PM
📍 3948 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA
Learn more about the APA IE Young and Emerging Planners Group: https://lnkd.in/gFnjDucd
Don’t miss out on this chance to connect and unwind!
Cal Poly Pomona Resume Workshop – March 12, 2025 @ 7 PM
Inland Empire Section Young & Emerging Planners (YEP) and APSA present the second annual Resume Workshop!
When: Wednesday, March 12 at 7 PM
Where: BLDG 7 Room 215
Food will be provided! Bring your resumes!
LEGISLATIVE TRAINING SERIES: LUNCH N LEARN – HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT UPDATES
Date: Tues, February 18 2025
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Where: Virtual Zoom
Kick off the new year with an informative session tailored for all California jurisdictions preparing their Annual Progress Report (APR), due by April 1. As part of the Inland Empire Section’s Legislative Training Series, this event will provide valuable insights and guidance to help you stay ahead.
What You’ll Learn:
Navigating the new HCD Connect submission portal
Updates to the APR form and requirements
How to access and utilize collected data
Featured Speakers: Kevan Rolfness and Spike Friedman from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Housing Data Section. Don’t miss this chance to gain expert advice and ensure your jurisdiction’s APR is a success!
Please reach out to Taylor Libolt Varner (tlvarner@nationalcore.org) with any questions.
Young & Emerging Planners (YEP) Bowling Night
Join IE APA YEP for a Bowling Night 🎳 at Bowlero Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday February 8th from 1:00-3:00 PM! This is a fantastic opportunity to network, connect with fellow planners, and have some fun—all for FREE! A huge thank you to 4LEAF, Inc. for sponsoring this event!
Location: Bowlero Rancho Cucamonga (7930 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730)
Date & Time: February 8 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to strike up conversations and build your planning network!
LEGISLATIVE TRAINING SERIES: PLANNING FOR LOGISTICS – AB 98 REQUIREMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Join us for a virtual Lunch and Learn on AB 98 of 2024, a major California law setting logistics expansion standards and new planning requirements. As a logistics hub, the Inland Empire will face unique impacts and timelines. Part of our Legislative Training Series, this session offers insights from industry experts on the law’s requirements, implementation, and upcoming updates.
Participants are encouraged to come to the webinar with questions about the law, as the program will include a generous Q&A/discussion portion.
Please reach out to APA Inland Empire Section Vice Director of Policy Taylor Libolt Varner if you have any
questions at: tlvarner@amplifycommunities.org
Click here to watch the webinar recording.