CEQA Overhauled: What the New Laws Mean for California Real Estate Development

A Stanford Professionals in Real Estate (SPIRE) In-Person Panel Discussion

On July 1, Governor Newsom signed AB 130 and SB 131 into law—ushering in the most significant overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in decades. These sweeping changes are poised to reshape entitlement strategies, fast-track housing approvals, and redefine what’s possible for development across the state.

Join SPIRE for an exclusive in-person panel unpacking the reforms’ implications for project viability, legal risk, and the future of real estate development in California.

Date: Monday, August 18
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Location: Dawn Club
Address: 10 Annie St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Pricing: $50 (drinks included)

Panelists Include:
Meris Ota (Moderator) 
Board Member – SPIRE 
A developer and real estate advisor who has led some of the largest and most complex projects in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Muhammad T. Alameldin
Senior Policy Advisor – California YIMBY
A key player in shaping pro-housing legislation, Muhammad will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how these CEQA reforms came to be—and what future legislative changes may follow.

David H. Blackwell
Partner – Allen Matkins
With over 25 years of experience entitling projects throughout California, David will address how these new laws impact CEQA strategy, legal risk, and entitlement timelines.

Oisín Heneghan
Real Estate Developer – N17
As the developer behind the state’s first AB 1287 (double density bonus) project and Northern California’s largest Builders Remedy development, Oisín brings a practitioner’s perspective on how these laws are transforming deal structure and project approvals.