City Council Committee to Review Recent California Housing Legislation

The Pasadena City Council’s Legislative Policy Committee is set to review recent California housing legislation at its Tuesday 4:30 p.m. meeting. The Committee will examine two comprehensive reports detailing new laws that could significantly impact local housing policies and development processes.

The first report, a “2023 New Housing Legislation Summary” prepared for the Association of Bay Area Governments, covers state legislation passed in the 2023 session. It addresses various aspects of housing policy, including processing requirements, environmental quality, density bonuses, and parking regulations.

A key focus will be on Senate Bill 423, which modifies the streamlined approval process established by SB 35 in 2018. The new law requires cities to consider subdivision maps meeting specific criteria without discretionary review hearings.

Another significant piece of legislation set for discussion is Senate Bill 4, which allows for affordable housing development on land owned by private institutions of higher education or religious organizations. The bill mandates 100% affordability for these projects, with specific density and height allowances.

Assembly Bill 1287 expands density bonus provisions, allowing developers to request additional bonuses for projects that include a higher percentage of affordable units. This “density bonus stacking” could result in up to 100% density increases for qualifying projects.

The Committee will also review Assembly Bill 1449, which exempts certain affordable housing projects from California Environmental Quality Act requirements. This exemption applies to projects that are 100% affordable to lower-income households and meet specific criteria.

Parking regulations are addressed in several new laws. Assembly Bill 894 introduces shared parking requirements, while AB 1317 mandates “unbundled” parking for larger residential developments in Southern California counties, including Los Angeles County.

The second report, prepared for the Committee by Barbara E. Kautz of Goldfarb & Lipman LLP, provides additional analysis of the new legislation. This report was previously presented to the Pasadena Planning Commission on March 12 and updated in July.

The Legislative Policy Committee’s review comes as cities across California grapple with implementing these new laws. The meeting aims to inform local policymakers about the potential impacts on Pasadena’s housing and development landscape.

As the state continues to address its housing crisis, these legislative changes reflect ongoing efforts to streamline approvals, increase affordable housing production, and promote density in urban areas. Pasadena’s review of these laws will be crucial in shaping its approach to housing policy in the coming years.

The Committee will also discuss proposed legislation for 2024, including potential changes to the Housing Accountability Act and new rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. These upcoming bills could further impact local housing policies and development processes.

For more on the meeting and these reports, click here.