Despite state laws allowing projects to receive up to 50% additional residential density, the Pasadena City Council recently denied an appeal for a 133-unit affordable housing development at 600 North Rosemead Boulevard, according to Pasadena Star News and sfplanning. The denial of the appeal affects residents seeking more housing options.
State laws mandate significant increases in housing density and streamlined approvals. However, local jurisdictions continue to exercise control, sometimes blocking projects that align with state goals. The tension between state laws and local control hinders efforts to address city building code changes for housing shortage solutions in California.
The ongoing tension between state mandates and local autonomy will likely lead to a patchwork of housing development successes and failures. Significant growth will concentrate where local and state priorities align or where state preemption is strongest.
State law also grants density bonuses for lower-income student housing, according to leginfo. Furthermore, AB 1751 requires local jurisdictions to ministerially process qualifying townhome projects, including parcel maps or tentative and final maps, according to JD Supra. AB 1751 and density bonuses highlight state efforts to bypass local discretion.
- California state law allows projects to receive up to 50% additional residential density over the maximum allowable residential density, according to sfplanning.
- A city, county, or city and county must grant a density bonus and other incentives if an applicant builds a student housing development with 20% of total units for lower-income students, according to leginfo.
- The Pasadena City Council recently denied an appeal for a 133-unit affordable housing development at 600 North Rosemead Boulevard, according to Pasadena Star News.
- AB 1751 requires local jurisdictions to ministerially process qualifying townhome projects, including parcel maps or tentative and final maps, according to JD Supra.
