Bass dissents as Newsom signs SB 79 into law

"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. 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."

Senate Bill 79 allows transit-oriented upzoning in parts of California, permitting up to nine stories adjacent to transit stops, seven stories within a quarter-mile, and six stories within a half-mile. The law applies in eight of 58 counties, focused on Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area; Contra Costa County secured an exemption. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Traci Park criticized the bill for rigid timelines, limited flexibility, diminished neighborhood input, and risks of developer-driven displacement, gentrification, and strain on traffic, infrastructure, evacuation routes, public safety, and quality of life. Some residents say one-size-fits-all solutions clash with local character but also note housing pressures.

Read at therealdeal.com