The builder's remedy circumvents the need for a city to approve or "rubber stamp" anything.

It does seem just at the cusp of finally being a meaningful provision, see this recent legal development involving the first court ruling on the law after an out of compliance city nevertheless denied a developer.

California Court Issues First Decision Addressing Builder’s Remedy; Decision on Related Lawsuit Pending

https://www.fbm.com/publications/california-court-issues-fir...