In a recent city council meeting, the Whittier City Council voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on housing developments permitted under Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), which allows for lot splits and the construction of up to four units on single-family residential lots. The extension, lasting 10 months and 15 days, will keep the moratorium in place until May 27, 2025, providing additional time for ongoing legal challenges to the legislation to be resolved.

The council's decision follows a ruling by the Los Angeles Superior Court that deemed SB 9 unlawful as it applies to charter cities, a classification that includes Whittier. The city, along with others, filed a petition against the bill shortly after its implementation in January 2022, citing concerns over local control and community character.

Community Development Director Ben Pongetti highlighted that the moratorium would not affect existing projects that were already in process prior to the initial moratorium approved in May. He noted that only a small number of applications—approximately eight units—are currently in the pipeline, which will continue to be processed under the previous directive.

Council members expressed their support for the extension, emphasizing the need to protect local interests while the legal situation unfolds. The council retains the option to extend the moratorium further if necessary, depending on the court's timeline for resolving the appeal filed by the state attorney general.

The public hearing on the matter saw no speakers, indicating a lack of immediate public opposition or support during this session. The council's decision reflects ongoing tensions between state housing policies and local governance, as communities grapple with the implications of increased density in traditionally single-family neighborhoods.