California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 79 into law, which will enable the state to overrule local zoning ordinances to build taller and denser housing near transit hubs.
SB 79 was proposed by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and will allow for the creation of multifamily projects up to nine stories that are located adjacent to certain transit hubs, up to seven stories on building within a quarter-mile of the hubs, and up to six stories on buildings within a half-mile.
According to an October 13 article on WRE News, the legislation was backed by the influential nonprofit housing group California YIMBY, labor unions, and environmental organizations, but was opposed by many municipal leaders including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
While we need more housing, I am not a fan of Sacramento telling us in San Diego what is best for our community. Overruling local zoning ordinances doesn't make sense to me. Our local elected officials have been tasked with developing a community plan that works for our municipalities. How can Sacramento know better? Issues like parking and infrastructure need to be considered but aren't with blanket laws like this. This one gets a thumbs down from me.
