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Paramount council introduces objective design standards for areas around two planned Metro stations
Summary
The council introduced an ordinance to adopt objective transit‑oriented design standards under SB 79 for two planned Metro stations (Rosecrans/Paramount and the Century/105 station), setting objective requirements for porches, materials, amenities, parking and mechanical screening; adoption is scheduled for July 14, 2026 and the state Department of Housing and Community Development will review the ordinance.
The Paramount City Council on June 23 introduced an ordinance that would set objective design standards for developments near two planned Metro light‑rail stations, part of the city’s response to state law SB 79.
Planning and Building Director John King told the council the measure is intended to preserve design quality while complying with SB 79’s limits on local control over density. "SB 79 ... was signed by the governor in October of last year, [and] takes effect next week," King said, explaining the city may not limit density but may adopt objective standards for how new buildings look and function.
Staff showed three station-area rings used in the draft: a 200‑foot core, a quarter‑mile band and a half‑mile band, and proposed tiered development metrics for each area (staff cited examples such as up to about 140 homes per acre and roughly 85 feet in the innermost ring, with lower densities and heights in outer rings). King said the draft ordinance emphasizes objective standards — porch/stoop requirements for ground-floor units, facade material variation to avoid monolithic stucco, parking size/location standards, minimum common amenities for multifamily projects, screening of mechanical equipment, lighting and trash/recycling specifications.
Mayor Olmos recused herself from the hearing on this item because she said she owns property within the development area. City staff reported there was no public testimony in favor or opposed. The council voted to read the ordinance by title, introduce it and place it on the July 14, 2026 agenda for adoption; staff will transmit the ordinance to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for required review.
Why it matters: SB 79 shifts control of density in station‑area zoning to statewide rules when stations are planned and funded. The city’s approach is to use the limited local authority permitted by state law to shape building design and public-realm features so new housing built near stations is compatible with community expectations while remaining legally defensible.
What’s next: The council scheduled final adoption for July 14, 2026. Staff cautioned HCD may request changes; if so, the council would need to reintroduce the ordinance with the requested edits.
(Reporters: Planning and Building Director John King provided the staff presentation; the mayor recused herself for reasons stated at the hearing.)
