SB 79 and South Pasadena
Next Planning Commission meeting is Tue June 9 at 6:30 pm. They will probably talk about development standards. A summary of the May 19 meeting is below the map. In that meeting, the members decided on an alternative plan to send to City Council on June 3 for their approval and then to HCD on June 4.
The law is in the process of being clarified such that phrases will be exactly defined. Information in this site is approximate.
The law is more complex than the information in this site.
What is SB 79? Senate Bill 79 is a California Law that encourages building dense housing at transit stops, overriding local control. Dense housing is up to 100 dwelling units per acre and up to 65 feet high. At transit stops means within a 1/4 mile radius of the stop for cities with populations under 35,000 people. South Pasadena currently has about 25,000 people. If SP grows to over 35,000 people, it will be subject to both the 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile radius provisions. Extra height, up to 85 feet, is allowed within a 200 yard radius of the stop. SP currently has one transit stop, the A (Gold) Line Metro station at Mission / Meridian. See definitions page for acre and height examples. See below for links for more information.
When does it take effect? July 1, 2026 - this year.
What is the possible impact on South Pasadena? At this time, it is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 more dwelling units will be built in this area. The estimate depends on may factors, such as clarification of the law, the developer's estimate of feasibility, whether landowners stay or sell, and so on. The additional units will require more of or will increase use of water, water lines, sewer lines, schools, power, emergency equipment, library, parks, other recreational facilities, streets, sidewalks, street parking, maintenance of facilities & infrastructure, and city staff for all of it. Some items are physically constrained, examples being evacuation route capacity, street and sidewalk widths, park area, and street parking.
What is the city doing? The city is working on evaluating alternative plans as allowed by the law, law interpretation & clean up, determining impact fees and objective design standards through the Planning Commission, determining how to protect current renters, and watching possible lawsuits from Pasadena and Los Angeles.
What can residents do? Contact our state representatives: Assemblymember Mike Fong State Senator Sasha Perez. Inform your neighbors. Watch council meetings (first and third Wednesdays) and submit public comment. Watch Planning Commission meetings (second Tuesdays) and submit public comment. Tell WISPPA that you want to be kept informed on this issue. See below for links. (The program won't allow links in this box.)
Links for more information about the law:
Jan 14 SP city staff presentation to city council
SP Review coverage of the presentation
April 8 Council / Planning Study Session on Obj. Design Standards
South Pasadenan Explainer Article
Links for what residents can do:
Assemblymember Mike Fong contact page
State Senator Sasha Perez contact page
Council meeting agendas
A summary of item 2 of the May 9 Planning Commission Meeting:
This is my understanding of the conclusions; I am not a planner.
The members chose a modified Option C with tiered densities in line with the current densities rather than the same density for all residential zones.
The members said to use the RH (single family) standard for residential areas, with 50 - 65 dwelling units per acre and the mixed use overlay for the mixed use overly area and housing opportunity sites.
The members discussed altering the shop front overlay to require commercial stores in the overlay area but legally could not create a new or modify the existing overlay.
The recommendations were summarized by the lawyer in detail at about 6:15 hours into the meeting.