A new bill seeks to address lagging transit ridership and the state’s housing shortage in one fell swoop.
SB79 would upzone thousands of parcels throughout California, allowing for more dense housing near major transit centers.
“It’s hard to think of a better place to build multi-unit apartment buildings, townhomes and condos, than around the highest quality public transportation,” said California Sen. Scott Wiener, who introduced the bill.
New bill would make it easier to build high-density housing near transit
Los Angeles has made major strides in expanding its rail network, he said, but ridership numbers are lagging.
“Public transportation reduces traffic ingestion, and it’s a good climate strategy,” he added. “The best way to increase public transportation ridership is to have more people living near it so that they can walk to it.”
Wiener’s office says the goal is “Paris-like density.” Lots would have their zoning restrictions updated automatically based on their proximity to transit stations and the amount of daily trains that pass through.
In many cases, lots zoned for single family housing will increase to 4, 5, 6 or 7 stories.
Lots within a quarter mile of B and D line subway stops, including the stops under construction for the D-line expansion project, would see the tallest new height restrictions at seven stories.
“ We invest billions to build rail stations, subway stations, rapid bus service,” Wiener said. “And then we make it impossible to build densely around these transit stops.”
One solution, for a multi-pronged problem?
More than 40% of Los Angeles is zoned for single-family use — and…
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