Los Angeles City Council Rejects Housing Bill

In a heated meeting on Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted 8 to 5 against a state bill designed to expand high-density housing near public transport options. The council members argued that critical planning decisions should remain under local control.

The proposed legislation, known as Senate Bill 79, aims to address the housing shortage in California by permitting construction of buildings up to nine stories near certain train stops, as well as slightly shorter buildings near bus lines.

City Councilman Traci Park expressed concern during a press conference, stating, “One-purpose mission from Sacramento is not safe and we are not responsible.” She was joined by her colleagues Monica Rodriguez and John Lee, who stressed that the bill represented an attempt by its sponsor, State Senator Scott Wiener, to “hijack” local planning efforts.

Lee criticized the measure as “not planning” and called the situation “chaos.” Wiener, for his part, expressed disappointment over the council’s decision. He contended that opponents of SB 79 were failing to propose effective solutions to the housing crisis that is impacting California’s economy and diversity.

Wiener argued that the bill would not only help create affordable housing but also encourage public transport use, alleviate traffic, and further climate goals.

Councillor Nithya Raman, who voted against opposing the bill, pointed out the critical nature of the city’s housing crisis, suggesting collaboration with the bill’s authors. “Our actions are not fulfilled at the moment,” she noted, urging the council to act in good faith regarding the issue.

The bill, which has already passed in the Senate and is awaiting consideration by the Legislative Budget Committee, permits heights of up to nine stories near major transit hubs like LA subway stops, with zoning changes affecting single-family neighborhoods within half a mile. Closer proximity to smaller transit options results in slightly reduced height allowances.

The Expenditure Committee is expected to decide next week whether the bill will move forward for a vote in the legislature. If it clears both houses, it will go to Governor Gavin Newsom by mid-October for his signature.

While the City Council’s resolutions opposing the bill are not legally binding, they do provide a platform for lobbying the state legislature. The resolution also requested exemption for the city, citing existing state-approved housing plans.

Former council member Zev Yaroslavsky commented that without a stance, the state might perceive that Los Angeles does not care about the situation.

Mayor Karen Bass has not yet declared a position on the matter. Meanwhile, City Attorney Heidefeldsteinsoto previously argued that the bill would require billions in infrastructure upgrades to accommodate new development in low-density areas.

Wiener’s office stated that the bill allows cities some flexibility in waiving certain properties near transit hubs if they meet density criteria.

Earlier this year, the city council established a citywide housing incentive program aimed at encouraging developers to construct affordable units at market rates, particularly along commercial routes and in densely populated neighborhoods.

The council has moved forward with a housing ordinance, though it faced challenges from local homeowners. This ordinance aims to identify land for an additional 255,000 homes as part of the city’s planning requirements.