Sabha, Tamer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
Michael Canavan <
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 4:28 PM
Sabha, Tamer
PUBLIC COMMENT: Legislative Policy Committee Agenda Item 4 Flag for follow up
Flagged
You don't often get email from..earn why this is important ^] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. For more information about the Phish Alert Button view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
Members of the Legislative Policy Committee and staff,
My name is Michael Canavan and I'm a renter living in District 6 within a % mile of the Del Mar A line station.
Thank you for the opportunity to write in support of SB 79, a state senate bill that would provide Pasadena a major opportunity to recover from the impacts of the Eaton fire by building dense housing exactly where we need it most: next to high-quality transit stops. Legalizing dense development near reliable transit reduces traffic and C02 emissions while it increases job access and affordability for residents who could live car-free or car-lite.
Pasadena has six transit stops that the bill defines as "Tier 2" transit stops, following the A line from Fillmore to Sierra Madre Villa. SB 79 would legalize developments of up to 65 feet in height, 100 dwelling units per acre, and a FAR of 3.0 within % mile of these stations and 55 feet in height, 80 du/acre, and a FAR of 2.5 within 1/z mile. I have seen some maps suggesting that the bill would upzone around Pasadena bus stops, but this is false as the bill specifies only Bus Rapid Transit as defined in Section 21060.2 of the California Public Resources Code qualifies.
Especially within the Central District, Pasadena's existing zoning around A line stations already approaches the allowed densities in SB79. For those stations with lower current zoned densities, the bill would provide a much-needed incentive for smart development, bringing many more residents within range of the most affordable form of rapid transportation that LA County offers.
I was shocked to see that the City of Pasadena had sent a letter dated April 28th to SB 79 author Senator Wiener expressing opposition to the bill. The full text of the letter is unavailable online and was not brought up for any kind of public consideration, much less a full vote of City Council. It's a dire breach of local democratic principles that city officials can express disapproval of pending legislation without any input from elected officials. I hope we can ensure that such moves can't happen again without a council vote.
Thank you for your work and your attention to this issue.