The California Senate recently approved a significant piece of housing legislation, SB 79, which aims to facilitate apartment construction within a half mile of public transit stations, irrespective of local zoning laws.
Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the bill’s author, emphasized the necessity of housing density around transit areas to support sustainable transit systems and provide transportation choices for residents.
“Without housing density, it’s hard to sustain transit and give people that transportation choice,” Wiener stated on Bluesky.
Additionally, SB 79 empowers transit agencies to develop their own land, mirroring successful practices seen in cities like Tokyo and Singapore, where transit agencies monetize land surrounding station areas, thereby aiding transit sustainability.
However, the bill has raised alarm among both Democrats and Republicans regarding potential overreach into local control.
Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), one of San Diego’s state senators who opposed the bill, expressed her concerns.
“SB 79 gives land-use authority to transit agencies,” Blakespear remarked in a statement to KPBS.
She highlighted the extensive time and resources cities invest in determining optimal locations for new or denser housing, insisting that this local process should not be undermined.
Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) echoed Blakespear’s sentiments, asserting that the bill diminishes autonomy for local communities.
“SB 79 takes away control from local communities,” he stated.
Jones emphasized that the legislation overrides city zoning regulations and circumvents years of meticulous planning, effectively mandating cities to approve large projects without input from local residents.
His district covers most of northeastern San Diego County, including areas like Poway, Ramona, and Valley Center, but also extends to parts of San Diego that may be impacted by SB 79.
If enacted, land-use regulations around transit stations in cities like Santee, Escondido, and San Marcos would be modified to enable increased density.
Blakespear’s district, characterized by over 20 train stations and numerous train services, would see a more pronounced effect.
Many stations are located in cities grappling with high housing prices and stringent construction limits.
These zoning restrictions maintain elevated prices and contribute to neighborhood exclusivity.
Although Blakespear has a history of endorsing housing and transit legislation, such as facilitating permits for accessory dwelling units in coastal zones and exempting homeless services from CEQA, she affirmed the significance of local control in this instance.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-San Diego), who supported the bill earlier in the Housing Committee, articulated its merits during the Senate discussion.
“The evidence is pretty overwhelming, and has been for decades, the benefits of integrating housing with transit infrastructure,” Padilla asserted.
He stressed that the impact on mobility directly correlates with employment opportunities, economic mobility, and even individual health and environmental quality.
Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), another supporter of the bill, did not respond to inquiries for comment.
SB 79 passed with a vote of 21-13, receiving backing from 18 Democrats and three Republicans, while opposing voices included seven Democrats and six Republicans.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2025/06/10/state-senators-from-san-diego-split-on-allowing-housing-near-transit-but-not-along-partisan-lines
