FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
CONTACT: Sam Villaneda, Samantha.Villaneda@asm.ca.gov, (760)269-9391
Tom Steel, Tom.Steel@asm.ca.gov, (530) 713-7783
The Senate Housing Committee Passes Assemblymember Harabedian’s Bill Protecting Historic Landmarks
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Championing infrastructure development while protecting historical landmarks, Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena) announces that AB 2576, which refines SB 79 (Wiener, 2025) by extending protections to all locally, state, and nationally registered historic resources, has passed the Senate Housing Committee.
“Assembly District 41 is home to some of California’s most treasured historic places, from the Pasadena Civic Center and Pasadena Playhouse to the historic downtowns of Claremont, Monrovia, and La Verne,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena). “AB 2576 helps ensure these landmarks remain protected as we continue working to expand housing opportunities. With this vote, we are one step closer to giving our communities the certainty they deserve.”
SB 79 (Wiener, 2025) created statewide zoning rules to make it easier to build more housing near major public transit stops. The law applies to areas generally within a half-mile of qualifying transit and allows taller, denser housing in these locations, limiting certain local zoning restrictions.
SB 79 does not grant full protections to historic resources vital to California’s cultural and architectural heritage, as it is unclear whether historic districts qualify for protection and limits safeguards primarily to locally listed sites, leaving many state and nationally recognized resources vulnerable. The bill’s 10% cap on exempted historic resources and narrow definitions potentially excludes significant areas, such as parts of Pasadena identified through ongoing surveys.
AB 2576 addresses this through targeted clean-up amendments that strengthen historic preservation protections in SB 79. The bill will explicitly recognize historic districts, including local landmark districts, as eligible historic resources; expand protections to sites listed on local, state, and national historic registers.
The bill will be heard next in the Senate Local Government Committee.
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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.
