SONC Supports Council's Opposition to SB 79

Posted on 04/15/2025

The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council supports CF 25-0002-S19, thus opposing SB 79,
unless amended to exclude single-family, light industrial, and historic districts.

This bill allows 65-foot-high apartment buildings within a half mile of rail stops or bus stops with
15-minute headways—without affordability requirements—threatening single-family
neighborhoods, historic districts, and light-industrial zones while lacking critical environmental
safeguards.

Los Angeles’s Housing Element already meets the State’s housing mandates through
responsible urban planning. SB 79 undermines this by:

Allowing unchecked development that strains infrastructure and budgets.
Requiring no affordable housing while enabling market-rate construction anywhere within the half mile radius of transit stops as defined above.
Disrupting cities' efforts to meet affordability goals and serve transit-dependent residents.
Reducing homeownership opportunities for working- and middle-class families.
Encouraging gentrification by disregarding Historic District protections.
Eliminating light-industrial zones vital for future jobs and work-life balance.
Los Angeles must balance housing growth with community stability.

We urge you to oppose SB
79 unless amended to exempt single-family, historic, and light-industrial zones.
Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

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