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PRESERVATION | ADVOCACY | EDy^.iKTI.Qll^ AH 9: 23
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CITY OF PASADENA
May 18, 2026
Mayor Victor Gordo
Members of the City Council
City of Pasadena
100N.GarfieldAve.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Subject: City Council Agenda Item 14
SB 79 - Uncodified Interim Urgency Ordinance
Dear Mayor Gordo and Council Members:
Pasadena Heritage wishes to express its wholehearted support for the staff recommendations in Item 14, which outlines a proposed program for the phased implementation of SB 79. We are tremendously grateful for the work done by the Council, Planning Commission and staff in developing an action plan prior to SB 79's effective date of July 1 ,2026.
As enacted, SB 79 provides only the most limited protection for designated historic properties and districts, potentially threatening some of Pasadena's most precious historical resources. As the Council is likely aware, the little protection afforded in the bill applies only to local landmark districts, ignoring the critical importance of Pasadena's National Register Historic Districts, including Old Pasadena.
We would also like to thank Mayor Gordo, the Council, and Assembly Member Harabedian, whose efforts have led to AB 2576 (Harabedian). This bill would add limited protection for certain State and Federally designated sites not offered in the original SB 79. This new bill passed the Assembly on a 75-0-5 vote and awaits its first presentation in the State Senate. We urge the Council to continue its efforts to secure Senate passage of this needed cleanup measure.
After reviewing staff's careful and well considered analysis, we concur with the recommendation to adopt an uncodified interim urgency ordinance (Option 2) as specified in the staff report.
Pasadena Heritage stands ready to support and assist the city in this effort and appreciates the opportunity to comment. Please contact us if we may provide further information or assistance.
05/18/2026
Item 14
s3
PASADENA
HERITAGE
PRESERVATION | ADVOCACY | EDUCATION
Yours truly,
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BRIDGET LAWLOR, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Pasadena Heritage
Cc: Jennifer Paige, Jason Mikaelian, Kevin Johnson