The Los Angeles City Council voted 8–5 to oppose Senate Bill 79, the controversial statewide density bill authored by San Francisco Senator Scott Wiener, today August 19.
A resolution was introduced by Councilmembers Traci Park and John Lee. Community leaders, preservation advocates, and residents have warned of the devastating impacts SB 79 would have on Los Angeles neighborhoods. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Curren Price, Nithya Raman, Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martínez opposed Park and Lee’s resolution.
SB 79 would allow property owners within a half mile of major transit to build new apartment buildings as high as 7 to 8 stories, despite local city zoning codes.
This bill would be a state-mandated code and strip cities of the authority to regulate large-scale development projects, without the ability to oppose projects that threaten public safety, such as density and evacuation.
Bus stops are included as major transit and Palisades could be impacted.
Councilmember Traci Park said, “SB 79 is Sacramento’s attempt to hijack local planning and hand the keys to developers, while silencing the voices of the very people who live here. Los Angeles is already leading on housing through programs like our Citywide Housing Incentive Program, which incentivizes smart, responsible growth. What we don’t need is Sacramento overriding our plans and erasing the communities that make this city unique.”
Councilmember John Lee said, “We have worked hard to create housing solutions that make sense for Los Angeles. In the San Fernando Valley, that meant years of community engagement to map out where new housing makes sense — and where it doesn’t. The people of Los Angeles deserve to have a say in how their city grows.”
SB 79 has been speeding through Sacramento after it was introduced January 15 by Wiener. It passed out of the Senate Housing Committee on April 22. It passed the Senate Local Government Committee on April 30. It passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 23.
SB 79 passed the Senate floor on June 3 by a vote of 21-13. It passed the Assembly Housing Committee on July 2 and the Assembly Local Government Committee on July 16. SB 79 is scheduled to be heard by the State Assembly Appropriations Committee tomorrow and could move to the full Assembly for a vote on August 29.
CTN contacted Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office and asked if he supported SB 79. Deputy Director of Communications Tara Gallegos said, “Thanks for reaching out. Our office doesn’t comment on pending legislation.”
Thank goodness. This would have doomed Los Angeles.
Is there a letter-writing campaign or other action to oppose the bill before the vote on 8/29? It seems like it is poised to pass?
Hope this passes, we need the housing and the arguments against it are laughable.