Altadena residents are rallying behind a bill that preserves single-family housing

By mid-June, it was clear that Altadena was having a time unlike any other in the 18 months since the Eaton fire burned much of the community to obliteration. More than 450 people attended the June 16 City Council meeting, which focused on what some say is a fight to preserve the neighborhood’s identity.

In a community where residents are busy with their difficult journeys to recovery, the unity was remarkable.

“This is the first time before or after the fire that we’ve been able to come together and find enough ground to come together,” said Shawna Dawson Beer, leader of Beautiful Altadena, a community advocacy group founded more than a decade ago.

In the past few weeks, citizens have supported Senate Bill 1090, which would freeze multi-unit housing projects in LA County. After the devastating January 2025 storms, plans have been submitted or are underway in at least 13 single-family homes that could cause multi-family housing to split, according to Altadena Recovery Watch, a local fire survivor group.

The bill creates regulatory clarifications that expedite the conversion of single-family properties to multi-family housing in California to help ease the state’s housing crisis.

“We have heard many times from members of the community, those who lost their homes or were affected in some way by the fire, to make sure that the community maintains the community that existed before the fire,” said state Assemblyman John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) in an interview with The Times.

Harabedian and state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra) co-authored the bill, also known as the Keep Altadena Land in Altadena Hands Act, which provides exceptions to SB 9 and SB 1123, which created development criteria for single-family homes.

“The people of Altadena want protection from developers who buy land from distressed fire survivors and try to exploit the purpose of existing laws,” Pérez said in a statement announcing the law.

Momentum for the bill began building more than two weeks ago, on June 14, when the Altadena City Council announced it would meet two days later “with an agenda that keeps two public concerns – utility costs and laws governing redevelopment – front and center.”

Emergency City Council meetings were held on June 24 and repeated Monday on Zoom, each meeting building momentum from the last, with hundreds in attendance.

Before Monday’s Zoom, a crowd of community members gathered for a news conference in West Altadena.

“I stand here with an unprecedented unity that will focus on this bill moving forward and I will continue to do so through all the challenges and obstacles,” said Altadena City Council Chairman Nic Arnzen at a press conference. “Because there is nothing we cannot overcome if we stick together.”

Kara Vallow’s home was destroyed in the Eaton fire. Citizens recently rallied in support of a bill that creates public consideration in state laws that expedite the conversion of single-family properties to multi-unit housing.

(Arwen Clemans/Los Angeles Times)

“I think more communities should do this kind of grassroots planning because it’s the only way to educate our leaders and decision makers about what’s going on,” said Noel Minor, a former land use attorney who is part of the community group Altadena Recovery Watch, in an interview with The Times. “I don’t know that I have ever seen so many people come to one event.”

Altadena residents have flooded the inboxes and voicemails of state and local lawmakers, hoping the bill will pass its first hurdle Wednesday when it goes to two committees for a vote. LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger will be joined by several Altadena residents in Sacramento to speak in favor of the bill.

Recent neighborhood meetings have seen large turnouts as Altadena residents get behind Senate Bill 1090.

(Arwen Clemans/Los Angeles Times)

Altadena residents Gary and Mary Lyzenga spoke of the emotion behind the widespread efforts in the community to pass the bill.

“It’s sad to see multi-generational families, different communities getting sick,” Gary Lyzenga said of the new development. “Altadena didn’t have residential buildings, condos,” he added, but said residents were concerned about high-density developments on narrow streets with no sidewalks or parking.

“It’s not that we don’t think there needs to be development,” he told the Times, “but it shouldn’t be this dangerous situation where developers are rushing in.”

Some residents complained that the law extended construction of the development beyond 2029, saying more recovery time would be needed as residents deal with insurance payments and litigation with Southern California Edison, among other problems.

“It shouldn’t be any easier for speculative developers to buy up land and build affordable housing than it is for fire survivors to return home,” said Dawson Beer.

If the bill is passed, it will go to the Assembly when legislators return from recess in August. Wednesday’s committee hearings are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.