Zoning Code Amendment:
Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act (SB 79)
Attachment A: Findings for Zoning Code Amendment
City Council
May 18, 2026
ATTACHMENT A
FINDINGS FOR ZONING CODE AMENDMENT
Prior to the approval of a Zoning Code Text Amendment, the following findings must be made:
1. The proposed amendment is in conformance with the goals, policies and objectives of the General Plan, and other adopted goals and policies of the City.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment to delay implementation of SB 79 is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan as follows:
Land Use Element
• Goal 7. Architectural Design and Quality. Encourage an architecturally distinguished city with a diversity of building styles. New development will recognize this by supporting a variety of materials, forms, and construction techniques while demonstrating a contextual relationship to its surroundings through traditional physical concepts (orientation, scale, materials) and non-physical concepts (cultural, climactic, economic). o Policy 7.3 Compatibility. Require that new and adaptively re-used buildings are designed to respect and complement the defining built form, massing, scale, modulation, and architectural detailing of their contextual setting.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment would delay effectuation of SB 79 on sites meeting the density thresholds outlined in the law. The majority of such sites are located within Specific Plan areas that allow for high-density development, and subject to standards intended to ensure that such development is contextually appropriate.
Delaying effectuation of SB 79 on these sites allows for new high-density development to continue to occur in accordance with adopted development standards as envisioned by the community.
• Goal 8. Historic Preservation. Preservation and enhancement of Pasadena’s cultural and historic buildings, landscapes, streets and districts as valued assets and important representations of its past and a source of community identity, and social, ecological, and economic vitality.
o Policy 8.1 Identify and Protect Historic Resources. Identify and protect historic resources that represent significant examples of the City’s history.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment delays effectuation of the provisions of SB 79 for sites that are historic resources designated on the local register within a half-mile radius of all Metro A Line stations and sites with historic resources on the state register that also meet the density thresholds of SB 79 within a half-mile radius of the Memorial Park, Del Mar, and Lake Stations. Therefore, delaying implementation within these areas helps further protect sites designated on local and state registers from demolition and potential development. Additionally, delaying implementation on historic sites is consistent with the intent of the General Plan to preserve significant examples of Pasadena’s history and identity.
Zoning Code Amendment:
Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act (SB 79)
Attachment A: Findings for Zoning Code Amendment
City Council
May 18, 2026
2. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is consistent with the above-mentioned goals and policies in the Land Use Element of the General Plan. delayed effectuation on sites within a half-mile radius of all Metro A Line stations and sites with historic resources on the State register within a half-mile radius of the Memorial Park, Del Mar, and Lake Station Districts is consistent with the intent of the goals and policies of the General Plan in that protecting these sites will preserve Pasadena’s history and identity and would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City.