Residents of Pacific Palisades will gather on Saturday to protest Senate Bill 79, a housing proposal by Senator Scott Wiener. The bill aims to address California’s housing shortage by allowing high-density housing near transit stops. However, critics argue it prioritizes profit over safety and local control.
SB 79 would permit developers to construct multi-family housing in single-family zones with minimal local oversight. Opponents, including the Pacific Palisades Community Council, have urged Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the bill, citing fire safety concerns in wildfire-prone areas like Pacific Palisades. The area was severely impacted by the January 2025 Palisades fire, which destroyed over 5,000 homes.
According to Westside Current, Marcella Bothwell, chair of Neighbors for a Better California, said, “This bill lets developers pack massive developments into neighborhoods with no guarantee of infrastructure, fire safety, or affordability.” Jessica Rogers, president of the Pacific Palisades Residents Association, added, “SB 79 would be 100 times worse — literally — allowing dozens of units on single-family parcels.”
The Los Angeles City Council recently voted 8-5 to oppose the bill. Councilmember Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, argued that the bill strips away local planning control. However, some council members, like Nithya Raman, believe the city needs new approaches to tackle its housing crisis.
The rally in Pacific Palisades is part of a larger movement, with demonstrations also planned in San Diego, San Francisco, and Marin County. The Palisades rally will take place at 10 a.m. at the Village Green on Sunset Boulevard.
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