South Pasadena at night, 2022 (File Photo – Melanie Hooks)
The South Pasadena City Council has placed the South Pasadena Neighborhood Preservation, Local Control measure on the November 2024 general election ballot, as part of the implementation of their Housing Element.
By News Desk
The South Pasadena ballot measure states that its purpose is to retain local control of its land use while still adhering to State housing mandates. The proposed measure – consistent with the Housing Element and State law – aims to preserve existing neighborhoods and directs future housing units into residential multi-family and/or commercial mixed-used areas served by transit, with convenient access to shopping and services. This includes places like Downtown, Huntington Drive, Ostrich Farm and the Fair Oaks Corridor, where buildings with additional height would allow more opportunities for residents to live within walking distance to transportation and services.
Like many other cities in the state, South Pasadena is required to plan for the development of new housing, including affordable housing. The State asked them to plan for 2,067 units of housing across a range of income levels.
On July 29, 2024, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certified South Pasadena’s Housing Element. The City has implemented the zoning amendments required by the Housing Element, and will continue working to implement other programs to support the production of housing, including affordable units. The Housing Element contemplates increased building heights in certain areas that provide for higher density housing to achieve the state-mandated housing goal.
South Pasadena’s Neighborhood Preservation, Local Control Measure provides that building height for residential and mixed-use buildings will be set through a public process in order to allow for additional housing opportunities in certain areas. The proposed measure would amend an existing height limit that was adopted by the voters in 1983.
The residents of South Pasadena will be receiving education through mail, social media, and a dedicated webpage.
To learn more visit www.SouthPasadenaCa.gov/BallotMeasure.
This ballot measure is misleading. What it actually does is take control away from the voters and puts it into the hands of the city council who is controlled by the State. It is repealing the 45′ voter initiative from 40 years ago which will leave NO height limit in certain areas of town. The State can control any height they want by forcing their bidding on the city. In fact, the city, in Program 2n has already agreed to have a height limit of “no less than 84 feet,” almost at least double what we have now.
A year ago, a consultant and local professionals had stated that most of the housing we are required to build can be done in the 45′. Why has the city not pursued that option and instead is trying to force sky high buildings in South Pasadena?
Another consequence is that if the building height is repealed, it will result in mass evictions and displacement of tenants.
Vote No on the measure!