California Governor Newsom has signed SB 79, paving the way for new homes near transit hubs across Los Angeles County and in several other major regions of the state.

“SB 79 is a historic step toward tackling the root cause of California’s affordability crisis — our profound shortage of homes and too few people having access to transit,” said State Senator Scott Wiener, who authored the bill. “In California we talk a lot about where we don’t want to build homes, but rarely about where we do — until now. SB 79 unwinds decades of overly restrictive land use policies that have driven housing costs to astronomical levels, forcing millions of people to move far away from jobs and transit, to face massive commutes, or to leave California entirely. By allowing more homes to be built near public transportation, SB 79 also strengthens our transit systems, increases transit ridership, and reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions. It’s been a long road to tackle these decades-old problems, but thanks to Governor Newsom’s leadership, today marks a new day for affordable housing and public transportation in California.”

SB 79, which was opposed by the Los Angeles City Council, permits the by-right construction of housing on land zoned for residential and commercial uses on properties located within a quarter-mile or half-mile radius of certain transit stops, including light rail, heavy rail, and regional rail hubs operated by Metro and Metrolink. Here's more on where SB 79 may apply in the City of Los Angeles, and what type of development will be permitted - with the caveat that certain carve outs may blunt its impacts in certain neighborhoods. It should be noted that SB 79 will impact other jurisdictions with qualifying transit stops which are not reflected on the below map.

Areas potentially eligible for SB 79 in Los AngelesCity of Los Angeles

SB 79 development standardsCity of Los Angeles

Here's what we're reading this week:

Light rain arrives this weekend, but a potentially major storm could follow "Remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla are bringing some light rain to Southern California, but the National Weather Service says a potentially major storm could sweep across the northern part of L.A. County early next week" (LAist)

View looking north from BroadwaySCB

Towers planned near Los Angeles Times building in DTLA ‘on hold’ amid inflation woes "The Times Mirror Square project — so called because it would include the rehabilitation of the Times, Plant and Mirror buildings — near City Hall was approved by the City Council in 2021, but Vancouver-based Onni Group told the Wall Street Journal that inflation has slowed progress." (KTLA)

FlightWave Aerospace Systems Triples L.A. Footprint "The significant expansion comes after the drone developer just signed a three-year extension for 14,616 square feet in nearby Carson, Calif., in March" (Commercial Observer)

Chaos, conflict and drones: 10 takeaways from LAFD’s report on the Palisades Fire "The report, which is marked 'for internal department use only' on every page, is quite critical, documenting shortcomings with preparation and response, and how systemic problems endangered the lives of firefighters and the public." (LAist)

Rendering of the Venice Dell developmentVenice Community Housing / Hollywood Community Housing

Traci Park Faces State Scrutiny and Election Pressure Over Venice Dell "The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has issued a blistering Letter of Inquiry to the City of Los Angeles, raising concerns about delays to the Venice Dell affordable housing project." (Mar Vista Voice)

Parking Titan Donald Shoup’s Legacy Continues "A new book and a new UCLA center honor the world's foremost expert on parking, Donald Shoup, who passed away in February" (Streetsblog LA)

At a Boyle Heights hospital, ICE agents call the shots, doctors say "Administrators at White Memorial have told doctors not to call a detained patient’s family members, even to find out what type of medication they’re on or what conditions they have, doctors told LAist. Hospital leaders also have told doctors to allow immigration agents to remain by a detained patient’s side, even during consultations, inhibiting frank discussions between doctors and their patients and potentially violating patient privacy laws. Doctors say this is not typical protocol for any patients, including those brought in by local police or sheriff’s deputies." (LAist)

Downtown Los Angeles skyline and the Sixth Street ViaductShutterstock

This L.A. landmark was hailed as a ‘ribbon of light.’ Scrap metal thieves have made it dark and invisible "The 6th Street Viaduct was the city’s most expensive bridge project to date, costing an estimated $588 million, and was meant to set off a wave of other public projects across the city. According to estimates from city officials, the thieves who stripped the bridge’s copper wiring probably netted about $11,000....But it will cost the city $2.5 million to assess and repair the damage, according to Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes downtown and Boyle Heights." (LA Times)

Bass asks LA City Council to roll back ULA for Palisades victims "Mayor’s letter seeks one-time exemption from ‘mansion tax’ in wake of wildfire" (TRD LA)

Drawbridge Realty Buys O.C. Office for $78M, Signs Anduril to 190K-SF Lease "Invesco sold the 14-acre property in Costa Mesa after acquiring it for $84M in 2018" (Commercial Observer)

Conceptual rendering of center-median bus-only lanes on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle RockKilograph

Road work begins on dedicated bus lane in Eagle Rock and more news and notes "Starting as early as the week of Oct. 13 and running for about two weeks, crews will be preparing the roadway for the change, according to Metro." (Eastsider)

Homeowners oppose West Hollywood zoning changes "At the current rate of development, West Hollywood will fall short of meeting the required amount of housing, which could lead to state-imposed impacts, such as restricting city authority in approving future projects. The city’s housing element currently mandates the city build 3,900 units by 2029." (Beverly Press)

Calif. Panel Says City's Affordable Housing Map Is Flawed Redondo Beach's housing element invalidated by appeals court (Law360)

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