Saturday, October 17, 2026

Pérez: Altadena Density Pause Covers Only SB 1123 Projects, Keeps Affordable Exception

By THERESE EDU

Senator Sasha Renee Perez via Facebook

The new state law pausing fast-tracked density projects in Altadena covers only SB 1123 developments and keeps an exception for fully affordable housing, its author, state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, D-Pasadena, said Friday.

That final version of SB 1090 is narrower than earlier versions, one of which proposed a five-year moratorium on both SB 9 and SB 1123 in Altadena. Two Altadena homeowners rebuilding after the Eaton Fire described a different set of obstacles: permit delays and limits on how big they can build.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill, known as the Keep Altadena Land in Altadena Hands Act, on Sept. 30. It took effect Oct. 1 and runs until Jan. 1, 2030, in Altadena ZIP codes 91001 and 91003.

Pérez said SB 9 duplexes and lot splits are not covered by the pause. “T he final law pauses only SB 1123 projects.” Pérez said SB 1123 projects can split a single-family lot up to 10 times, which drew community concern. “That was a major concern for the community.”

“And the exception for 100% affordable projects did remain in the final version of the bill.” Pérez said she worked with affordable housing developers and providers, who supported the bill, to keep the exception because a number of their projects are in development and could house former Altadena residents looking to return.

The law does not turn on whether a project holds vested rights, Pérez said. An SB 1123 application had to be submitted before Oct. 1 to remain valid. “And so the date of that paperwork being submitted is what determines whether or not the project can be developed.”

In signing the bill, Newsom said such recovery adjustments to state housing law should be narrow and grounded in local conditions. Abundant Housing LA’s executive director testified against SB 1090 at an Assembly committee hearing.

Pérez said the county’s own rebuild rules already allow for gentle density, including a streamlined path for adding accessory dwelling units, room for rebuilt homes to exceed their prior size by a set percentage, and interest in mixed-use development along commercial corridors. She said more than half of people going through the rebuild process are adding ADUs. “They’re very supportive of the idea of adding more housing and doing so in a way that respects the character of the community.”

Under county rules, a like-for-like rebuild keeps the size, location and purpose of the structure that burned, with room to grow up to 10% or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. Anything larger is reviewed under the Altadena Community Standards District and requires a front yard of at least 20 feet.

Dan Kalisher, who owned and lived in his Altadena home from 2019 until the fire, is building back bigger, with an accessory dwelling unit, over the 10% limit. His daughter was 3 when the house burned and is now 5, and the family has another child. He and his wife both work from home, and the ADU will be his workspace.

He said the size is about need. “We’re not building back a bigger house because we want to spend all this money building back a big house.” He added, “That’s what we need.”

The family has its permit after back-and-forth over setbacks, and the house is halfway through framing, Kalisher said. A next-door neighbor has waited almost a year for a permit. Meanwhile, his family pays rent elsewhere. “The delay is costing us so much money and it’s like that money runs out, that insurance money runs out.”

The county’s recovery guidance commits to an initial review of like-for-like rebuild plans within 10 business days and rechecks within five. Kalisher, whose project went beyond like-for-like, wants a firmer clock on corrections.

“I would make a rule that any revisions that have to be made to [a] plan submitted have to be responded to within five business days.”

A developer bought the lot behind his house after his former neighbors sold it soon after the fire, Kalisher said, and he has seen no permit application for it. He said bigger houses do not worry him the way multi-unit projects do. “I think the character of the neighborhood was the people.”

Corrina Vasquez and her family are rebuilding the front house and accessory dwelling unit that stood on their Altadena lot before the fire. Her mother is the main owner, with Vasquez and her sister also on the title. The family submitted plans last January and could not qualify as like-for-like, and the back house was uninsured. “We want nothing more than rebuilding.”

Vasquez wants the new ADU at 1,000 square feet. She said a rule limits it to 800 square feet because the lot sits within 200 feet of a park. “We don’t understand that.” She called it the one rule she would change. “That would be the rule that we would want changed because that’s not what’s going to prevent the fire.”

Vasquez said the frames going up near her are tall and close together. “The height’s going to block the views,” she said, and she expects parking to get crowded as more families rebuild. Her advice to neighbors: “So I would say to neighbors, be patient.”

SB 1090’s provisions run until Jan. 1, 2030. Pérez said the county should keep investing in streamlining the rebuild process and hearing directly from residents so that homeowners face fewer barriers.