Measure to Protect Historic Resources Amid Housing Growth Heads to Governor
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – AB 2576, an important housing and historic protection bill by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), has passed the California State Legislature as a follow-up measure to SB 79 (Wiener). When SB 79 was signed into law last year, mandating local zoning changes to build more housing near transit, it left out protections for the many buildings and neighborhoods that have made California a beacon of history and culture for decades.
“Across my district and throughout the state, there are countless cities and counties scrambling to comply with SB 79 while protecting the historic assets that put their communities on the map,” said Assemblymember Harabedian. “AB 2576 is a simple bill that focuses on the reality of our housing shortage while acknowledging the need for more time to prevent the loss of these tremendous contributors to our cultural heritage.”
AB 2576 provides flexibility for local governments to protect the historic resources that make their communities unique by allowing more time to implement certain provisions of SB 79. AB 2576 also allows for the increased density that California desperately needs to solve its housing crisis to be carefully planned without jeopardizing the rich cultural heritage that makes these neighborhoods special. The bill ensures that properties listed on the State Historic Resources Inventory are eligible for protection, as they were originally left vulnerable by SB 79.
This bill will now go to Governor Newsom’s desk for his signature.
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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.
