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SB 50 Protest Santa Clarita City Hall 2
Photo by Wyatt Smith/KHTS News

Demonstrators Gather Outside Santa Clarita City Hall To Protest Housing Bill SB 50

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Santa Clarita City Hall Thursday afternoon to protest a bill to change zoning laws across California.

The protest against Senate Bill (SB) 50, which would establish a “streamlined” approval process for neighborhood multifamily projects, was organized by the nonprofit “Housing is a Human Right.”

“There are tenants here from across Southern California protesting this bill,” said Susan Hunter, one of the organizers. “SB 50 is very broad… It can take away affordable housing.”

SB 50 was brought back to the legislature this month with amendments after being stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee in May 2019.

In the current version, the bill would give cities and counties two years to develop plans to boost development in their communities before state mandates for greater housing density take effect.

“They want to be able to have some flexibility to increase the density in their community in their own way,” said Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who authored the bill.

SB 50 is designed to increase housing production — California has a 3.5 million home shortage — by increasing zoned density near public transportation and job centers.

SB 50 Protest Santa Clarita City Hall 2

Photo by Wyatt Smith/KHTS News

Under the legislation, cities are not able to limit density near job or transit centers, and will be required to allow small- and mid-size apartment buildings, according to the legislation.

“These new amendments recognize that cities should have some flexibility in how they implement SB 50’s goals,” Wiener said. “We’ve heard loud and clear that cities want the flexibility to implement this kind of legislation in a way that works best for them.”

The Santa Clarita City Council has taken a position of opposition against SB 50, citing the need for local control, according to Mayor Cameron Smyth.

“Determining land use is a fundamental role of local government,” Smyth said. “SB 50 is just a consolidation of power in Sacramento.”

Smyth noted the proposed amendments are not enough to curb the City Council’s original opposition to the legislation.

A March 2019 letter of opposition from the City Council stated, “It is crucial for the City of Santa Clarita to maintain a local land-use authority and ensure that the City continues to have the capability to consider unique factors when reviewing residential development proposals.”

Wiener introduced SB 50 in December 2018. In April 2019, SB 50 was passed by its two policy committees, the Senate Housing Committee and the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, in bipartisan votes, according to Wiener’s office.

In May 2019, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee delayed SB 50 until January 2020.

The deadline to pass SB 50 out of the Senate is Jan. 31, 2020.


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Demonstrators Gather Outside Santa Clarita City Hall To Protest Housing Bill SB 50

15 comments

  1. Always a stinking Democrat in California coming up with this stuff. Here we go again! Vote Republican, take our state back!

  2. Ditto, Rosie !!!

  3. Yes please vote Republican if you don’t want santa Clarita to turn into the San Fernando valley.

  4. This is a good idea it will allow you to live with your homeless neighbors. Isn’t time to immerse ourselves with this multiplying group of freeloaders? Support Sanders and get free stuff. It’s coming.

  5. So the group “Housing is a Human Right.“ is opposing a bill which will drastically increase the supply of new housing? CA is facing an unprecedented housing crisis plagued with a shortage of homes. Cities have failed creating the volume of housing needed to sustain California growth so if they opposed to this bill what are the alternative options?

  6. Wiener a Democrat from San Francisco!!! Doing a great job there—just what we need, more Democrat city degeneration down here!! Seattle to San Diego, perfect examples of what the Democrats keep ruining!!

  7. Get out of Californiammusiam now! It’s already too late.

  8. Good, true & accurate statement Jim (unfortunately)!!

  9. We are taxed to high. That is California. As well housing prices are way to high also. This is what makes a housing shortage. People cannot even afford to rent. Foreclosures are huge in this state. You only get free hand outs if you are very low income to no income at all.
    We have one of the highest homeless populations around. Take all the empty warehouses & large buildings and convert them to help the homeless get off the streets. California has been a democratic state forever!!! So, look at what they as well if we get a demarcating president voted in.. Help us all!!!

  10. For goodness sakes people, have a heart. All everyone thinks about is themselves. I imagine most of you republicans are Christians? well you sure as hell aren’t following the teachings of Christ. Religious beliefs aside, we need to look at what’s causing the shortage in housing and elevated rent and housing prices. This is due to the lack of building. For those of us that have an established home, things appear great, as our equity continues to increase, but what about our children, how the hell will they ever comfortably afford a house. California and Santa Clarita should not only be available to the elite. Perhaps the bill isn’t the right plan, but don’t blame the democrats for the current housing situation. Capitalism and free market, right Republicans? That greed has led to this. so, look in the mirror before u point your finger, and come up with a better proposition if u don’t like the plan.

  11. Must! Oppose everything the DemocRats bring to the table. It is never good for the community. DemocRats have grown corrupt beyond belief. Definitely No to SB 50. #VoteRedToSaveCalifonia!

  12. I would like to know if any of the protesters have ever been homeless?

  13. I agree that Democrats are corrupt. But have you ever been homeless? Is there a better solution? I have been homeless and it was hell… so I care about this very much!

  14. Thank God, never have/would be homeless—while working since age 13, I’ve followed the laws/rules of a decent/modern society! Never thought of pooping in the streets or in a river that people would drink/bathe from!! The allowance(Democrats) of primitive behavior is a never ending degradation of modern civilization, just look at degradation from Seattle to San Diego—all caused by Liberals/Democrats/So-called progressives (regressives)/communists/socialists/bleeding heart/narrow mined snowflakes!! Be WOKE!! Christians are suppose to teach, not ONLY GIVE!!

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.