Oppose SB 79 (Wiener) / Support CF 25-0002-19

Oppose SB 79 (Wiener) / Support CF 25-0002-19

Proposed by Chris Spitz/PPCC and Terri Tippit/WNC on April 21, 2025
Formally adopted by WRAC in June 2025 | Download the WRAC position letter

Passed by

  • Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council
  • Brentwood Community Council
  • Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa
  • Pacific Palisades Community Council (modified version)
  • South Robertson Neighborhoods Council (modified version)
  • Venice Neighborhood Council (modified version)
  • Westside Neighborhood Council (modified version)
  • Westwood Community Council
  • Westwood Neighborhood Council

Motion

Refers to City Council file 25-0002-S19

“The Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC), opposes   SB 79 (Wiener), which further erodes local control over land use and zoning decisions, requires  streamlined approval of very high multifamily buildings near certain bus stops and rail lines in single-family neighborhoods even when municipalities such as Los Angeles already have a state-approved and compliant Housing Element, and compromises public safety by failing to  include an unconditional exemption for the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

“WRAC further supports the resolution in City Council by Councilmember John S. Lee, second by Councilwoman Traci Park (CF 25-0002-S19), for the City Council to add to its State Legislative Program for 2025-26 opposition to SB 79 unless amended to exempt municipalities with a state-approved and compliant Housing Element.”

Background

See Background Information.

See League of California Cities’ opposition to SB 79.

See City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s opposition to SB 79.

See also City Watch column re SB 79.

Regarding whether the bill applies to bus service/stops  — From the proposed bill as most recently amended:

(p) “Transit-oriented development stop” means a major transit stop, as defined by Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code, [excluding any stop served by rail transit with a frequency of fewer than 10 total trains per weekday.] served by heavy rail transit, very high frequency commuter rail, high frequency commuter rail, light rail transit, bus service meeting the standards of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 21060.2 of the Public Resources Code, frequent commuter rail service, or ferry service, or otherwise so designated by the applicable authority [emphasis added].
PRC 21060.2:
(a) “Bus rapid transit” means a public mass transit service provided by a public agency or by a public-private partnership that includes all of the following features:
(1) Full-time dedicated bus lanes or operation in a separate right-of-way dedicated for public transportation with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.

Contact Chris Spitz with any questions.

Notes

Modified versions:

PPCC (per C. Spitz) —  Position Letter 4/14/25

VNC (per B. Averill) — passed motion on 6/17 agenda (item 4)

SORONC (per M. Lynn) — passed motion on 6/19 agenda (item 10d)

WNC (per T. Tippit) — CIS 4/10/25

Minority position (effectively opposed to this WRAC motion):

NWNC:  CIS filed 4/3/25 in opposition to CF 25-0002-S19

As of 6/20/25, no other Member Councils have advised that they have taken a position opposed to this WRAC motion.

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