AB 2576 Moves Forward, Seeks Changes to State Transit Housing Law

Del Mar Metro Station underneath a residential building in Pasadena (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)

Assemblymember John Harabedian announced that Assembly Bill 2576 cleared the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on Thursday, advancing legislation aimed at refining a recent state housing law.

By News Desk

The proposal seeks to amend SB 79, authored by Scott Wiener and enacted in 2025. That law established statewide zoning standards designed to encourage higher-density housing near major public transit stops, generally within a half-mile radius. It allows for taller residential development in these areas and limits certain local zoning restrictions.

AB 2576 focuses on clarifying how historic resources are treated under the existing law. According to the bill’s language, SB 79 does not clearly define whether historic districts qualify for protection and primarily safeguards properties listed at the local level. Critics of the current framework have raised concerns that state- and nationally recognized historic sites may not be fully covered, and that limits on exemptions could exclude some historically significant areas.

The new measure would explicitly include historic districts—such as local landmark districts—within the definition of protected resources. It would also extend protections to properties listed on local, state, and national historic registers.

Harabedian said the bill is intended to balance housing development with preservation. In a statement, he noted that communities in his district include several historically significant sites and said the legislation would ensure those locations are protected while allowing for new housing construction.

Local officials from cities including Pasadena, Monrovia, La Verne, and San Dimas expressed support for the measure. In statements, they pointed to the importance of maintaining community character and ensuring local input in planning decisions, while also acknowledging the need to address housing shortages. Several described the proposal as a “balanced” approach that allows for growth alongside preservation.

AB 2576 is expected to be considered next by the Assembly Appropriations Committee later this spring.