City Council

3.\nSENATE BILL (SB) 79 (WIENER), THE ABUNDANT & AFFORDABLE HOMES NEAR\nTRANSIT ACT – F2M25-19\nSB 79 (Wiener), also known as the "Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act", is a\nCalifornia bill aimed at increasing housing density near public transportation stops. It\nwould allow multi-family residential development, potentially up to seven stories, near train\nstations and bus rapid transit stops which are stops that have dedicated bus lanes with 15\nminute or less headways during peak commuting hours, overriding many local zoning\nlaws. The bill is designed to address the state's housing crisis by boosting housing supply,\nencouraging public transit use, and reducing reliance on cars. Possible impacts to the City\nof Alhambra will be focused on the southern portion of the City that may fall within halfmile of the CalState LA Metrolink station. The station may be considered a Tier 3 transitorientated development stop which could allow developments of up to 45 feet high, 60\nunits per acre, and a F.A.R. of 2.0. Otherwise, there will be no direct impact to Alhambra\nas Alhambra does not have any qualifying “transit-oriented development stops” including\nany bus service meeting the standards of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section\n21060.2 of the Public Resources Code. Key aspects of SB 79 include allowing higher\ndensity housing near major transit stops, including apartments and other multi-family\ndwellings. This potentially includes areas currently zoned for single-family homes. The bill\nwould also allow transit agencies more flexibility in developing land they own, potentially\nleading to more housing and increased ridership. It would also create statewide standards\nfor housing developments near high frequency transit stops. The bill does require any\nproposed development would need to provide housing for lower income households with\ndifferent percentage rates of the total units by different income levels pursuant to Section\n50106 of the Health and Safety Code. SB 79 has passed the California State Senate and\nis now in the Assembly. If passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor, it will\nbecome law and go into effect on July 1, 2026. Approximately, 150 cities have submitted\nletters of opposition through CalCities under a coalition.\nRecommended Action:\nCity Council receive and file this informational report.