Daniel Seagondollar Architect

01/05/2025

A victory against increased high density housing in areas designed for single family land use by California Superior Court:

“In order to justify SB 9’s interference with the municipal concerns of land use and zoning regulations, the Legislature cannot rely on potential, eventual decreases in prices resulting from increased housing supply to demonstrate that SB 9 would increase the supply of affordable (i.e., below market-rate) housing,” ruled Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Curtis Kim. “Accordingly, the Court finds that SB 9 is neither reasonably related to ensuring access to affordable housing nor narrowly tailored to avoid unnecessary interference in local governance.”

01/24/2023

12/01/2021

Net Zero Carbon Continuing Education – Signed Into Law

Governor Gavin Newsom signed our sponsored AB 1010 last week. AB 1010 was authored by Assembly Member Marc Berman (D – Palo Alto). This new law requires all California architects to complete 5 hours of continuing education in Net Zero Carbon design every two years, and will be in effect for the 2023 renewal cycle. This CE will help architects understand significant changes that are expected to be included in future building codes and standards, and will help position California architects as the thought leaders in Net Zero Carbon design.

06/07/2021

I WANT TO SHARE WITH VERY ONE THIS LITTLE COMMUNICATION FROM THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO IN RESPONSE TO OUT CLIENT'S APPLICATION TO BUILD A 1050 SQ.FT. HOME ON 2 1/2 ACRES OF PRIVATE LAND. IF ANYONE WONDERS WHY THERE ARE HOUSING SHORTAGES AND ASTRONOMICAL HOUSING PRICES IN CALIFORNIA HERE IT IS. LET'S BE CLEAR HERE THAT THERE IS NOT LAW IN PLACE AT THIS TIME THAT DICTATES THIS POLICY, THIS IS A BUREAUCRATIC POLICY WITH NO BASIS IN LAW. ARBITRARY RULES BASED ON A POSSIBILITY THAT A LAW MAY BE PASSED.

Dear Applicant,

In reference to application SFR-###X-###XX, it has been determined that the following information or other documents are required:

At this time, the application cannot move forward because of the following:
Joshua trees are now protected by the State of California as a candidate for listing as an endangered species. At this time, the County cannot issue a permit to take (by removal or transplanting) any Joshua tree. Also, construction activity near the Joshua may impact the roots and damage the plant. Therefore, any proposed construction within forty (40) feet of an existing Joshua tree must be evaluated by a qualified professional to certify avoidance of impact to the Joshua Tree(s).
You are receiving this email because your parcel is within an area that potentially contains Joshua trees. Prior to proceeding with your project, please provide a Report by a Desert Native Plant Specialist determining no Joshua Trees are affected by the proposed grading/construction, or obtain a Field Investigation to verify that your project will not adversely affect any Joshua Tree.

You may also provide us sufficient evidence to show that the proposed grading/structure is not within forty (40) feet of a Joshua tree, the Building Official may waive the requirement for a Field Investigation or Report. Evidence would include: On-site photos showing the location of the proposed grading/structure in relation to existing Joshua trees, with an accompanying site plan drawn to scale, showing the limits of grading/construction and all existing Joshua trees. If, after Building Official evaluation, it is determined that no Joshua trees will be affected by the development, the project can proceed without any Field Investigation or Report. Please refer to the handout IB-0016 located in the attachments.

01/21/2020

https://archpaper.com/2020/01/burning-man-2020-temple-revealed/?trk_msg=8JVBSAPN94AKPFILOEJUNVIRE0&trk_contact=VAVEGKPNOJ7J4JEA140TREHNR4&trk_sid=OIKIAKL4IB913IV0BCHTSH674O&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Burning+Man%27s+radiant+2020+temple+is+revealed&utm_campaign=Late+Edition%3a+Burning+Man%27s+radiant+2020+temple+is+revealed

This year, the official Burning Man temple will be an eight-pointed star structure called Empyrean, intended as a nod to the highest point in heaven.

09/23/2019

What are they thinking? How does this action assist in solving the housing crisis in California?

San Jose became the biggest U.S. city to ban natural gas in new construction projects as the city council unanimously approved the proposal Tuesday evening.

08/15/2019

Taxes, more taxes. Is that all California leadership ever works on? No legislation to solve the state’s mounting issues, just more taxes.

Voters will likely consider a proposal in 2020 to limit Proposition 13's tax limits to homeowners, boosting assessments on commercial properties and using much of the money on K-12 schools.

08/05/2019

This appointment gives me the opportunity to review, along with other professionals in my peer group, interpretations of the Building Codes that are applied to the development industry by plan checkers and building officials. I hope I can make a difference and offer service to the communities in San Bernardino Co. (no I don’t get paid for this, entirely voluntary.)

02/15/2019

https://www.planetizen.com/node/102862?utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news-02142019&mc_cid=33b51a5fba&mc_eid=11d073afa0

A decade ago it seemed like biking and walking was making a comeback that could change the commuting culture of the United States.

12/04/2018

Now comes State of California dictating where and how people will live.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/12/04/california-gears-up-for-round-2-on-controversial-battle-over-more-homes-near-transit/

10/12/2018

So is this what we’re come to?

08/14/2018

Solar panels are not ready for prime time.

A state-hired consultant lowballed the costs and assumed massive subsidies in estimating benefits.