Community Concerns Over Development Proposal in Altadena
Emotions ran high at City Hall on Tuesday, as a large crowd of Altadena residents gathered to voice their protests against a plan that could significantly alter their neighborhood, which was devastated by the Eaton Fire.
Close to 450 attendees were present, and the atmosphere was palpable. There were audible sighs when people learned that nearly half of the properties sold in the affected area since the wildfires have been bought by developers.
The crux of the discussion revolved around California housing legislation, specifically SB 9 and SB 1123. These laws allow developers to construct up to ten three-story residential units on a single lot, which has stirred worries among locals.
Residents expressed concern that increasing the population density could stress local resources, including water supplies, energy infrastructure, parking availability, and evacuation routes, while also fundamentally altering the character of their community.
“We are a single-family home community that lost everything, and now we risk losing our community as well,” one resident shared during public testimony.
Another speaker urged Governor Gavin Newsom to take action, saying, “We need more from him; it’s essential to push him to get involved.”
The meeting primarily addressed Senate Bill 1090, also known as the “Keeping Altadena Land in Altadena Hands Act,” introduced by State Senator Sasha Renee Perez. The objective of this proposal is to implement a five-year pause on state density laws like SB 9 and SB 1123 in designated Altadena ZIP codes, aimed at safeguarding fire-damaged properties from aggressive corporate real estate investors.
However, despite the fervent debate, the Altadena City Council refrained from voting or making a formal stance on the bill during the gathering.
Council President Nick Arnzen mentioned that council members would take into account public feedback before determining their position in the near future.
Uncertainties also surfaced regarding whether the proposed developments would indeed provide affordable housing options. “Are these developers genuinely committed to building affordable starter homes?” asked Camara Almanzar. “Families might find themselves priced out, leading to a resemblance of West LA.”
Kenneth McPheeters pointed out a lack of a comprehensive rebuilding plan post-fire. “When we experienced the fire, maybe we should’ve established a plan for some form of housing,” he remarked.
One project discussed involved a property on Punahou Street that is on the market with approved plans for a multi-unit development, alongside smaller single-family homes.
The county has invalidated more than a dozen applications filed under SB 1123, determining that the law is applicable only to developed areas.
Previously, Newsom had suspended SB 9 in regions affected by the Palisades Fire, categorizing them as high fire risk zones. However, Altadena has not received a similar exemption, even though about 70% of the community is outside the state’s designated high fire area.
