Pasadena Mayor Raises Concerns Over New State Law Impacting 710 Stub Project

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential impact of California’s newly enacted state law, SB 79, on the city’s long-planned 710 Stub project. This project aims to reconnect neighborhoods that were disrupted by the now-defunct 710 freeway. For over three years, city committees and consultants have been exploring various development options for the 710 Stub area, which is bordered by Union Street to the north, Columbia Street to the south, St. John Avenue to the west, and Pasadena Avenue to the east.

During a recent City Council meeting, Gordo urged city officials to investigate the ramifications of SB 79, which allows for the construction of mid-rise apartments and condominiums near specific public transit stations. Councilmember Justin Jones brought the legislation to light, inquiring whether it would alter Pasadena’s land-use map. Planning Director Jennifer Paige clarified that while the law does not change existing zoning regulations, it imposes new requirements that the city cannot amend, including higher building heights and density allowances for developments within proximity to transit sites.

Gordo pointed out that the 710 Stub is potentially within half a mile of a transit stop, a factor that could activate SB 79’s provisions. He expressed concern that this could lead to an influx of development that the surrounding neighborhoods may not be equipped to handle. “Those neighborhoods are going to be overrun,” Gordo remarked, labeling the legislation as “the worst” he has encountered regarding land use.

The implications of SB 79 are significant, as it will come into effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to urban transit counties like Los Angeles County, which have more frequent transit services. The law aims to establish greater building heights and density for specific projects located within a quarter to half mile of qualifying transit locations. Paige reassured the Council that city staff would conduct a thorough analysis to assess how the new legislation might impact the 710 Stub project.

Gordo’s criticism of SB 79 follows his previous opposition to similar legislation. In 2022, he voiced his disapproval of SB 9, which permits owners to subdivide single-family lots for multiple units. Gordo argued that such measures impose a one-size-fits-all approach to housing policy that does not consider local contexts. Following an executive order from Governor Gavin Newsom, the Pasadena City Council recently enacted an urgency ordinance to prohibit SB 9 applications in high-fire severity zones.

The 710 Stub project, once intended to link the northern end of the 710 freeway to the 210 freeway, has faced numerous hurdles since its inception. Originally shelved in 2018, the project has its roots in the 1950s, when Caltrans seized over 460 properties, displacing residents from Pasadena, South Pasadena, and El Sereno. As city officials continue to develop a vision for the stub area, they aim to address community concerns while also managing the legislative landscape that affects local control.

During the meeting, Transportation Director Joaquin Siques emphasized that one of the project’s goals is to redesign the stub area to create a community-friendly environment, including on and off ramps that would facilitate local traffic flow. The Council plans to finalize a direction for the project by March 2024.

Councilmember Steve Madison encouraged his colleagues to expedite the planning process, highlighting the significant opportunity the 710 Stub presents for Pasadena. Gordo, however, cautioned against rushing the planning phase, stressing the long-term implications of such a substantial project. “There are no redos in this project,” he said, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making.

As city staff prepares to present detailed recommendations next year, they are also tasked with gathering feedback from Council members on how to proceed with the visioning plan. The area currently lacks a designated land-use plan, which adds to the complexity of the project. “This is a unique situation in the city where we don’t have anything to start from,” Paige noted, underscoring the challenges ahead as Pasadena navigates both local aspirations and state mandates.