Los Angeles officials say their hands are tied when it comes to a sweeping state housing requirement that many residents fear could permanently reshape fire-scarred Altadena.
The debate over the community’s future now moves to Sacramento, where lawmakers on Wednesday are expected to weigh a bill aimed at protecting Altadena from state density rules that opponents argue could invite rapid redevelopment by outside investors.
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 1090, known as the “Keep Altadena Land in Altadena Hands Act.”
Backers of the proposal say it is necessary to safeguard neighborhoods hit hard by the Eaton Fire from corporate real estate speculators seeking profit during the rebuilding effort.
Authored by State Sen. Sasha Renee Perez, D-Alhambra, the bill would impose a five-year pause on state density laws, including SB 9 and SB 1123, in specific Altadena ZIP codes.
The hearing comes amid growing concern across Altadena, where residents have voiced mounting frustration and fear over the possibility of major redevelopment in areas long characterized by single-family homes.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Altadena, said county leaders do not have the authority to block the state laws themselves.
“I have no ability to stop it, other than to approach my state senator that represents Altadena and ask her to carry legislation,” Barger told The Center Square.
At the center of the dispute are SB 9 and SB 1123.
SB 9, which passed in 2021, requires local governments to approve duplexes and lot splits on single-home parcels, allowing up to four units on a single lot.
The law also prevents local requirements, including community standards districts, from being enforced.
SB 1123, which took effect in July 2025, allows the fast-track construction of up to 10 homes on vacant lots, according to Barger.
She warned that the law could dramatically alter the character of Altadena.
“The expansive building is going to completely change the landscape,” Barger said.
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The supervisor has also argued that the increased density envisioned by the law is unlikely to produce affordable homeownership opportunities.
“By the way, when you talk about entry-level, for-sale homes by subdividing those lots and building 10 homes, they’re going to make millions,” Barger said. “I’m not against the free market, but if the goal is affordable housing, that is not going to occur in Altadena.”
A major source of frustration for residents and local leaders is that SB 1123 does not apply in Pacific Palisades, the Los Angeles neighborhood devastated by the Palisades Fire.
Pacific Palisades is considered a high fire hazard severity zone, while Altadena is not.
As a result, Altadena remains subject to a law that many residents fear could accelerate dense redevelopment as the community recovers from the Eaton Fire, which burned 14,021 acres and destroyed 9,418 structures in the Altadena-Pasadena area in January 2025.
The growing anger was on full display earlier this week at a packed Altadena Town Council meeting.
Nearly 450 residents attended the meeting, where concerns over redevelopment, rebuilding and state housing mandates dominated discussion.
Although the council cannot pass laws, it serves as a forum for residents to voice concerns.
Tensions surged when attendees learned that 49% of properties sold within the burn zone since the wildfire have been purchased by developers, drawing an audible gasp from the crowd.
Residents warned that increased density could strain water supplies, electrical infrastructure, parking availability and evacuation routes while destroying the charm of Altadena.
Many also expressed concern that developers could use the aftermath of the disaster to reshape neighborhoods long known for single-family homes and landmarks such as the towering deodar cedar trees along Santa Rosa Avenue, better known as Christmas Tree Lane.
Wednesday’s hearing is one of several recovery-related events scheduled across Altadena and Pasadena, including meetings focused on disaster assistance, tenant protections and county governance.
Barger has also called on lawmakers to listen to Altadena residents at two additional hearings set for July 1 as debate over the community’s future continues to intensify.
If you are an Altadena resident and want your voice to be heard, please reach out to me at dfarr@californiapost.com
