Townhouses, row houses and bungalow courts are about to come to 57 locations across LA as part of the city’s plan to delay Senate Bill 79.
I historic housing billwhich went into effect Wednesday, was written in hopes of addressing California’s housing crisis. It is designed to promote apartment building by bypassing local zoning laws and allowing tall, dense development near bus stops and train stations: up to nine stories of buildings near transit points, seven stories of buildings within a quarter mile and six stories of buildings within a half mile.
It serves as a direct statement from Sacramento lawmakers to cities that have failed to keep up with housing demand in recent years, including Los Angeles, where single-family homes are still king. However, the bill was so controversial that in order to get it through, lawmakers stuffed it full of carve-outs and exemptions, delaying cities from passing their plans to increase density.
That’s exactly what most cities in Southern California do – including Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Glendale again LA – he chose to do.
If LA had not done anything, the area around more than 150 transit stops would have been changed immediately starting July 1st. To minimize the effects, LA accepted Low-Rise Ordinanceallowing it to delay SB 79 until 2030 by adding light density in several areas.
In other words, LA will allow more density, but not as much as SB 79 calls for.
Under the ordinance, developers can now build up to four four-story buildings with up to 16 units on properties that were previously zoned for single-family homes. 57 locations are located in Central LA, West LA, Eastside and San Fernando Valley.
Not all areas in these areas are expanded, however. Many areas have been vacated for a variety of reasons, including many hillside fireplaces and lots in Historic Conservation Areas.
To check whether certain parcels are included in the law, follow this link and check the box “Opportunity Channel Sites Eligible for Low Increment.”
The legislation marks a brief respite from months of tumult to adapt to the sweeping changes introduced by SB 79.
As the bill passes the Sacramento, LA City Council appealed the decision oppose it, calling it “anarchy” and “equal-one work.” In September, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto the bill.
Once passed in October, cities, homeowners, developers and even politicians scrambled to get the results. Cartographers are novices released homemade maps of areas that may be raised, while other cities are shaking about whether their stops will be included or not.
The LA City Council adopted its “low-level” strategy in March and approved it in late June. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Bass supported the plan.
“This local approach to SB 79 will help build more housing near transit, expand housing options for working families, and support a sustainable future for LA,” said Kolby Lee, Bass spokesperson. “The Mayor appreciates the work of the City Council and the City Plan to create a plan that complies with the law of the land, reflects the needs of our communities, and expands on our ongoing efforts to cut shortfalls and provide housing while respecting the humanity of our neighbors.”
