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Cal Cities presentation warns SB 79 could reshape housing near transit; Paramount leaders express concern
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Summary
Nick Cabeza of the League of California Cities briefed Paramount on SB 79’s requirements, HCD guidance limiting initial implementation to certain counties, and proposed cleanup bills; Mayor Lemons and council members raised concerns about local impacts and the exclusion of some counties.
Nick Cabeza, regional public affairs manager for the League of California Cities, told the Paramount City Council on March 24 that SB 79 — now law — directs higher-density housing near certain transit stops and will initially take effect on July 1, 2026 in a limited set of counties. "HCD said that on 07/01/2026, SB 79 will take effect in the following counties," Cabeza said, and listed counties named in the department's guidance.
Cabeza summarized key provisions of SB 79 described in the guidance: local agencies in qualifying transit counties would see streamlined processes for housing projects within a half-mile of designated transit stops, with height allowances of roughly five to nine stories and densities in the range described by the state. He said the law also gives transit agencies authority over development standards on land they own or parcels adjacent to transit-oriented development stops.
The League official told the council the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released implementation guidance that (1) names initial counties where SB 79 applies, (2) describes a dynamic geographic scope that may expand as qualifying rail or transit projects come into service, and (3) sets deadlines and procedures for local agencies that want to adopt an alternative plan. Cabeza said alternative-plan drafts must be submitted to HCD two weeks before a local legislative body's scheduled adoption date and that draft ordinances must be filed within 60 calendar days of enactment for HCD review.
Cabeza also flagged two recently introduced cleanup bills he said Cal Cities was reviewing: AB 2576, which would shift SB 79’s implementation date from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027 and clarify historic-resources protections, and AB 2415, which would provide other technical changes related to alternative plans and capacity reductions in transit-oriented zones.
Council members pressed Cabeza on the guidance and the bill’s local impacts. Mayor Lemons said the council had asked for carve-outs to protect local projects and called the omission of sustained outreach to Southeast Los Angeles cities "outrageous." "I am so angry at these legislators not listening to us," the mayor said, arguing the city's specific transit and development plans could be upended.
Cabeza said Cal Cities is coordinating coalition letters from gateway cities and pursuing cleanup language with authors' offices. He recommended continued local advocacy and said the League will follow legislative activity and the state budget process that could affect local priorities.
What happens next: Cabeza encouraged cities to monitor HCD guidance, consider whether to pursue an alternative plan under the deadlines described, and participate in Cal Cities' coalition outreach and cleanup efforts. He also invited council members to the Cal Cities City Leaders Summit and a gubernatorial forum in Sacramento in April.
(Reporting note: statements in this article are based on the presenter’s remarks to the council and on questions and answers recorded in the meeting transcript.)
