On Tuesday the Santa Clarita City Council voted to support four different state legislations at their regular board meeting, while opposing Assembly Bill 916. 

As part of the night’s consent calendar the city council voted to support three different assembly bills:

• Assembly Bill 1957 was put forth by Assemblywoman Marie Waldron to reinstate prosecutorial authority to charge someone with a felony and imprisonment of up to three years, if they have been previously convicted three or more times of petty theft, shoplifting, grand theft, burglary, auto theft, robbery, elder financial abuse, or knowingly receiving stolen property. 
• Assembly Bill 1599, authored by Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, repeals Proposition 47 (2014), except for provisions related to reducing the penalty for possession of concentrated cannabis
• Assembly Bill 1603 by Assemblymember Rudy Salas amends Proposition 47 (2014) by reducing the threshold amount for petty theft and shoplifting from $950 to $400.

The council also voted to support State Concurrent Resolution 5, authored by Senator Melissa Melendez. The resolution declares that the state of emergency proclaimed by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020, is at an end, and thereby terminates the emergency powers granted to the Governor as a result of the proclamation.

The city council did, however, vote to oppose Assembly Bill 916, which prohibits local governments from conducting a public hearing as a condition of approving a project that adds space for additional bedrooms or reconfigures existing space within an existing house, condominium or apartment. This includes efforts to increase the bedroom count. 

The bill, authored by Assemblymember Salas, would also increase the maximum height of an accessory dwelling unit that a local government must enforce from 16 feet to 18 feet.

“This bill weakens local land use authority related to ADUs and more specifically, preempts the City’s ability to properly review projects that add bedrooms to existing dwellings,” reads the city’s agenda report. “Furthermore, this bill would adversely impact the City’s ability to impose reasonable ADU requirements and/or conditions that take into consideration the City’s residential character and local unique circumstances.”

To view the council’s meeting agenda as well as more information about the assembly bills and resolutions, click here. 

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