The Bay Area is the epicenter of California’s housing crisis. Too many of our friends, family and workers simply cannot afford a place to rent or own. And while there are many causes of high housing costs, most agree that we need to do more to kick-start construction of homes and apartments — particularly those close to job centers and transit.

While local governments do not build housing, we have a vital role in the planning and approval of new housing. That’s why local governments are taking leadership locally and in Sacramento to streamline the housing review and approval process.

We believe we can encourage new housing construction without undermining critical local control, environmental protections, or the rights of our local citizens to be involved in land use decisions.

Cities throughout the state are supporting a package of legislative proposals that would streamline housing production. At its center is SB540, the Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone, by state Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside. SB540 would give local governments new tools to plan for housing and create a more streamlined path for approval by eliminating some of the delays and uncertainty that impede housing construction.

Specifically, cities and counties would identify priority housing areas within their boundaries. These zones would be near job centers and transit to help meet our state’s environmental goals.

The local government would conduct enhanced planning, necessary environmental reviews and public engagement at the front end of the project planning. Specifics as to what type of housing would be built within the zone would eliminate the requirement for a project-specific environmental review.

Developers would know the conditions for development, including traffic mitigation measures, parking requirements, design review standards, and any environmental review and mitigation required under the California Environmental Quality Act prior to any project even being proposed. This would shave an estimated one to two years off the development timeline without compromising public health, local government decision-making, or the rights of citizens to participate in local land use decisions.

SB540 now awaits action in the Assembly.

Many have been critical of local governments for the lack of housing construction in our communities. While some of these criticisms may have merit, many are based on misconceptions that have led to misguided legislative proposals to eliminate local control and environmental protections.

Fortunately, there is much we can do to remove hurdles without impeding local control or hindering necessary community protections.

Rich Garbarino is first vice president of the League of California Cities and a South San Francisco City Council member.