Your vote on Measure SP will affect where new housing is planned within the city.

The city is not actually building any new units, it is simply planning the zoning to allow for potential housing growth in the future.

Focus the required new housing along portions of Mission Street, Fair Oaks Avenue, Huntington Drive, and at The Ostrich Farm (Pasadena Avenue). These four areas constitute some 20% of the city. This is where developments could exceed 45 feet under city and state oversight. These areas are located near existing transportation, services, and shopping. They are more likely to have the infrastructure necessary to support high-density development. Additionally, they are already zoned for multifamily and mixed-use residences. Zoning for any new residential development above 45 feet will be limited to four existing commercial areas and major thoroughfares in the city!
Retain the 45-foot or lower height limit in other areas. Existing lower-density residential neighborhoods will be preserved as they are. Over 80% of our city will be maintained for lower density!
Save time and public money. The city will avoid rezoning. It will avoid potentially significant legal costs. Overwhelmingly, cities filing lawsuits on these issues have lost with the courts and the state.
Maintain state certification of the city’s housing plan (Housing Element). It will reduce the risk of “Builder’s Remedy,” a legal tool developers can use to bypass city zoning or development requirements. Without this, the city is vulnerable to negative consequences.

Retain the existing 45-foot height limit and require that density be spread throughout the city, affecting some 85% of the city’s land area. The choice is to either “build up or build out.”
Require the city to complete a revision of its certified Housing Element within nine months. Demands on community development staff may affect other projects and permitting. Additional risks will increase if rezoning isn’t achieved in time.
Compel the entire community to participate in a rezoning process under a tight timeline. It will be challenging to reach consensus expeditiously.
Invoke harmful consequences. If the Housing Element is decertified, penalties of up to $100,000/month or more could be assessed. The city could become ineligible for some state grants. South Pasadena could lose its ability to issue building permits for specific projects. Cities without a certified Housing Element are subject to the “Builder’s Remedy.”