San Fernando Valley Residents Urge Newsom to Veto SB 79 Now
Urgent Update: Residents of the San Fernando Valley are ramping up their push against SB 79, a contentious state bill that could transform local neighborhoods by allowing high-density housing near public transit. This grassroots movement is gaining momentum as the deadline for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto the bill approaches on October 12.
Opponents argue that SB 79 threatens to disrupt decades of careful community planning. The bill, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, aims to address California’s housing crisis by permitting buildings as tall as nine stories near high-frequency transit stops. Critics, including several local leaders and groups like United Neighbors, warn that this measure could lead to an influx of approximately 200,000 new housing units in areas like Sherman Oaks, a neighborhood with just 70,000 residents.
Local sentiment is starkly against the bill, with even Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressing her disapproval and officially requesting Newsom to veto it on September 17. “Residents see through the fraud and fiction,” said Tess Taylor, chair of the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council, highlighting widespread fears that unchecked densification could irrevocably harm community character.
Opposition is fierce, with residents voicing concerns that this bill undermines years of local planning efforts, including the city’s state-certified housing element plan. “You have to have the infrastructure for it; you have to plan a city,” stated Maria Pavlou Kalban, a Sherman Oaks resident and co-founder of United Neighbors.
Despite the pushback, some argue that SB 79 is necessary for addressing California’s severe housing affordability crisis. Supporters claim it could concentrate growth near public transportation, alleviating some housing challenges. Yet, many local leaders feel the bill disregards the community’s voice in favor of state mandates.
Scott Wright, a Northridge resident, voiced his frustration, stating, “That kind of high-density housing just stresses the resources of the community.” He described the challenges associated with developing affordable housing, stating, “The laws are so bad that my wife and I have decided we’ll never, ever invest in Los Angeles again.”
As tensions mount, the fate of SB 79 hangs in the balance. With local councils, including councilmembers John Lee and Monica Rodriguez, voting against the bill, the grassroots movement is now looking to influence Newsom’s decision. However, not all voices in the Valley are against SB 79. Tiffany Caldwell, a planner and board member of the Northridge South Neighborhood Council, argues that “you have to have enough supply in order to meet demand,” emphasizing the need for increased housing density to combat rising prices.
As the clock ticks down to the October 12 deadline, the San Fernando Valley remains at a crossroads, with community members and officials alike urging Newsom to reconsider this pivotal piece of legislation. The outcome could reshape the landscape of the Valley forever, making it a crucial moment for local residents who are ready to fight for their neighborhoods.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
