CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Adoption of an urgency ordinance, pursuant to Senate Bill 79 (SB 79, also known as “The Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act”), temporarily exempting properties located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) and/or containing a locally designated historic resource as of January 1, 2025, from the provisions of SB 79.
1. Urgency Ordinance to Temporarily Delay Effectuation of SB 79 for Certain Sites Located Within the VHFHSZ and/or Containing a Locally Designated Historic Resource.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Ordinance
Approved for June 23, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 3, 2026, the City Council received a status report regarding SB 79, and potential implementation strategies available to local jurisdictions. Following staff's presentation and public testimony, the City Council directed staff to pursue the delayed effectuation option authorized by SB 79 and return with an ordinance identifying eligible exempt sites.
On June 9, 2026, the City Council reviewed staff's analysis of SB 79, including updated mapping information received from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) on the locations and tier level of BRT stops in the City of Glendale. Following discussion, the City Council introduced an urgency ordinance to implement the delayed effectuation provisions of SB 79 for the identified eligible exempt properties within Glendale.
The urgency ordinance is now before the City Council for adoption. 2 6
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1 RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council adopt the proposed urgency ordinance, pursuant to SB 79, temporarily exempting certain properties from SB 79 prior to its July 1 effective date.
ANALYSIS
As noted in the staff report and presentation to City Council on June 9, 2026, SB 79 becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and establishes minimum residential development standards for qualifying properties located within one-half mile of designated Transit- Oriented Development (TOD) stops.
The June 9 staff report provided a detailed overview of SB 79, its applicability within Glendale, the City's coordination with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and neighboring jurisdictions. The report also described the delayed effectuation provisions authorized by SB 79 and identified sites within Glendale that may be temporarily exempted from the legislation.
Following review of that information, the City Council introduced an urgency ordinance, exercising the delayed effectuation authority provided under SB 79 and temporarily exempting properties located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) and/or containing a locally designated historic resource as of January 1, 2025.
The ordinance is now before the City Council for adoption. No changes have been made to the ordinance since its introduction.
If adopted, the urgency ordinance will take effect immediately and the identified exempt properties will be temporarily excluded from SB 79 applicability pursuant to the delayed effectuation provisions established in State law. Under SB 79, these exemptions would remain in effect until one year after the City adopts its 7th Cycle Housing Element, which is currently anticipated to occur approximately in 2030, unless the City adopts a qualifying TOD Alternative Plan at an earlier date. Adoption of the delayed effectuation ordinance will preserve the City's ability to continue evaluating long-term implementation options, including potential TOD Alternative Plans and additional delayed effectuation provisions authorized under SB 79.
Staff will continue to monitor guidance from HCD, SCAG's final TOD mapping, and implementation efforts occurring throughout Los Angeles County. Staff will also follow up on the requests and direction provided by the City Council on June 9, 2026, including further evaluation of sites that may qualify for delayed effectuation, potential zoning amendments (upzoning) that could support TOD stop radius exemptions, and the feasibility of local rent stabilization measures that may create additional statutory exemptions under SB 79. Should additional analysis support future exemptions or other actions authorized by SB 79, staff will return to the City Council with recommendations at a later date.
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1 NEXT STEPS
As discussed in the June 9 staff report, SB 79 requires that any delayed effectuation ordinance be submitted to the HCD prior to local adoption. Staff submitted the proposed ordinance and supporting documentation to HCD on May 27, 2026, consistent with State law.
If the ordinance is adopted, staff will provide a copy of the adopted ordinance to HCD within the timeframe required by SB 79. HCD will then determine whether the ordinance is in substantial compliance with the provisions of SB 79. Staff will continue to coordinate with HCD and return to the City Council if any additional action is necessary.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
This report serves as an opportunity to provide the community additional information on the status of SB 79 and options available to the City. An email blast was sent on June 4th to all of the Long Range Planning outreach list members (over 850+ members, including HOA and community group representatives), regarding the introduction of the proposed SB 79 delayed effectuation ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact is associated with this urgency ordinance delaying the effectuation of SB 79 on certain sites.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Government Code §65912.160(c)(2), which explicitly states that an ordinance adopted to implement the provisions of SB 79 shall not be considered a project under Division 13 (commencing with §21000) of the Public Resources Code.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. The City Council may choose not to adopt the delayed effectuation ordinance for certain sites and allow the legislation to take full effect on July 1, 2026;
2. The City Council may propose any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Michael J. Garcia, City Attorney
Jack Wong, Interim Director of Community Development
Prepared by:
Vilia Zemaitaitis, AICP, Deputy Director of Long Range Planning Gillian Van Muyden, Chief Assistant City Attorney
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1 Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. City Council Staff Report from June 9, 2026, regarding “Introduction (June 9) and Proposed Adoption (June 23) of an Urgency Ordinance to Delay Effectuation of the Senate Bill (SB) 79 (“The Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act”) for Certain Sites Located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and/or Containing a Locally Designated Historic Resource
Staff Report only; Attachments and Video for Item 10a available online at:
https://glendaleca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=41471.