Measure SP seeks to repeal the City’s 45 ft building height limit (which is about 3 stories) that has been in place since voters adopted it in 1983. Because a voter-initiated ordinance can only be repealed through the ballot process, the City is required to ask voters if they want to change the height limits.
A YES vote repeals the 45 ft height limit everywhere except single family zones. If Measure SP passes, the City Council will enact new height limits in the overlay zones (see maps below) by ordinance. New height limits are expected to be between 84-110 ft tall. Developers will be able to demolish and rebuild in these zones.
A NO vote will require the City to come up with an alternate plan that adheres to the existing 45 ft height limit. This could look like rezoning single family neighborhoods to allow for medium-density like triplexes and cottage courts (which already exist in single family neighborhoods but are illegal to build now because of exclusionary zoning).
Due to the lack of empty lots in the overlay zones, developers will need to destroy existing apartment buildings in order to build taller ones. Without significant tenant protections in place, evicted tenants will only be provided with a 60-day notice and the equivalent of one month’s rent for relocation expenses.
Instead of allowing new housing units to be built throughout town, city planners devised a plan that would keep taller, high-density housing restricted to specific zones. Because new buildings are required to include a percentage of lower income housing, this plan further segregates people in lower income brackets.
The City is tasked with planning for 2,067 new housing units. The areas they’re hoping will be built up already have people living there, many of them lower income. The little affordable apartments we have mostly exist in the overlay zones. Demolishing 12 affordable units to build 40 units with only 10% required to be affordable will be a decrease in overall affordable housing (the opposite of what Measure SP claims to provide).
The City has not done a thorough job of educating its residents. A recent poll revealed that 60% of South Pasadenans are unfamiliar with Measure SP. Renters especially are unaware how this measure will affect them. The language of the ballot measure is confusing and many think it means the opposite of what it does.
The Downtown Specific Plan spans Mission Street (from Indiana to Brent) and Fair Oaks Ave (from Grevelia to Lyndon). Any of the yellow and red parcels could be demolished and rebuilt.
The Huntington Drive Mixed-Use Area spans Huntington Drive and Fair Oaks Drive from Huntington to Bank St. Any of the shaded parcels could be demolished and rebuilt. People renting in orange and brown zones are at risk of mass eviction.
The Ostrich Farm Mixed-Use Area spans the East section of Monterey Rd, Pasadena Ave and part of Arroyo Drive. Any of the shaded parcels could be demolished and rebuilt. People renting in orange and brown zones are at risk of mass eviction.