Introduction to SB 79
Senate Bill 79, the landmark legislation allowing for transit-oriented upzoning across the state, is now officially on the law books. But not all officials are happy. Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature of the bill last week, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass isn’t thrilled about the mandate coming down from Sacramento, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Concerns Over the Bill
“The rigid timelines and limited flexibility for alternative plans set forth in SB 79 create unnecessary burdens for Los Angeles communities,” Bass said. “While I support the legislation’s intent to accelerate housing development statewide, the bill as written diminishes neighborhood input on planning and zoning.” Bass was joined in dissent by Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park, who last month said that SB 79 “opens the floodgates to developers, displacement and gentrification.” The new law allows for the construction of up to nine stories for buildings adjacent to certain bus stops and train stations, seven stories for buildings within a quarter-mile of the stops and six stories for buildings within a half-mile.
Impact on Local Communities
Park said the legislation would allow multi-story residential buildings to rise “with no regard for impacts on traffic, infrastructure, the environment, evacuation routes, public safety, quality of life or community character.” Before passing the California legislature, lawmakers shaved down the proposal’s reach significantly. Only eight of California’s 58 counties are eligible for SB 79-related upzoning, with efforts focused in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Contra Costa County barely escaped enforcement thanks to specific language in the bill.
Public Reaction
It’s not just local politicians who are upset or nervous about how it will all play out, either. “It’s complicated. One-size-fits-all does not work,” Annette Mercer, a longtime resident of West Los Angeles’ Rancho Park, told the Journal. “However, maintaining single-family homes forever when we have a homeless issue doesn’t work either.” The push and pull between local and state governments is nothing new, though Newsom’s signing of SB 79 is the latest instance of local control over zoning and construction being lost to state mandates.
As California works to meet its housing crisis, Newsom and other officials, such as SB 79 author Scott Wiener, have been working to increase building and cut red tape wherever possible. In July, for example, Newsom signed a landmark rollback of the California Environmental Quality Act. Environmental reviews under CEQA for many projects would gum up the approval process, but now developers for most infill projects in the state will be able to bypass such approvals.
Related News
Newsom implored to veto transit-adjacent upzoning. Los Angeles council member urges Newsom to pause SB 9 in Palisades. California transit-oriented upzoning approved after LA blowback.
Conclusion
The signing of SB 79 into law marks a significant shift in California’s approach to housing and development, with a focus on transit-oriented upzoning. While the intent is to address the state’s housing crisis, concerns from local officials and residents highlight the complexities and potential challenges of implementing such a policy. As the state moves forward with this new legislation, it will be crucial to monitor its impact and make adjustments as necessary to balance the needs of different communities.
FAQs
- Q: What is Senate Bill 79?
A: Senate Bill 79 is a landmark legislation that allows for transit-oriented upzoning across the state of California. - Q: Who signed SB 79 into law?
A: Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 79 into law. - Q: What are the concerns about SB 79?
A: Concerns include the potential for displacement and gentrification, lack of regard for local impacts such as traffic and infrastructure, and diminished neighborhood input on planning and zoning. - Q: How many counties in California are eligible for SB 79-related upzoning?
A: Only eight of California’s 58 counties are eligible, with efforts focused in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
