Last July 15, 2026, the South Pasadena City Council wrestled with the sweeping realities of a new state housing law and the imminent transformation of the city’s largest green space. The marathon session highlighted a community fighting to retain its historical character while carefully charting its future.
Senate Bill 79 went into effect on July 1, creating an overlay that overrides local zoning near qualifying transit stations. For South Pasadena, this applies within a quarter-mile of the Mission Meridian Metro Station.
The law sets a default density of 100 dwelling units per acre, and an intensifier zone within 200 feet of the station allows up to 140 units per acre alongside 85-foot building heights. This state mandate effectively increases the immediate area’s housing capacity from roughly 3,900 units to over 11,000 units.
In a defensive maneuver, the City Council voted to adopt an interim urgency ordinance to delay the effectuation of SB 79 in the downtown specific plan mixed-use core. This critical pause was triggered by a recent developer application for the former school district parking lot at 1021 Mission Street.
The developer’s new preliminary application proposes 171 units at a staggering density of 132 dwelling units per acre, completely ignoring the community-vetted entitlements previously approved for the site. City Attorney Roxanne Diaz and Mayor Sheila Rossi noted that this sudden influx of high-density development poses severe, immediate threats to traffic safety and evacuation routes near a neighboring senior center. The urgency ordinance preserves the status quo until 2031, granting Community Development Director Erica Ramirez and a council subcommittee the necessary time to craft a localized alternative plan.
A New Era for the Arroyo Seco Golf Course
On a highly anticipated note, the council unanimously approved a 30-year lease agreement with Grass Clippings and Troon Golf to formally redevelop the Arroyo Seco Golf Course.
This public-private partnership will inject approximately $16 million of private capital into the property without relying on the city’s general fund. The operator will also make a one-time $1.5 million contribution from the golf course reserves to help keep the facility affordable for local players.
The expansive upgrades will introduce modern amenities while preserving the course’s multigenerational appeal. Upcoming improvements include:
• A brand new 6,800-square-foot clubhouse featuring a standalone restaurant.
• A completely rebuilt driving range under a covered structure utilizing Top Tracer ball-tracking technology.
• An expanded 18-hole miniature golf course featuring distinct South Pasadena themes.
• Modernized turf, a new irrigation system, and LED lighting to support night golf.
• Capped resident rates tied to cost-of-living adjustments to ensure the asset remains accessible to the community.
The golf course will remain open through the end of the year as the operators finalize environmental reviews, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
The council also solidified a new memorandum of understanding with the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming fiscal year.
The city will step up as a formal title sponsor for four major seasonal activations. This includes a brand new “Eat, Shop, Enjoy South Pass” pilot program scheduled for August 22nd through the 30th. The citywide crawl will stretch beyond Mission Street, offering residents a $15 VIP wristband that unlocks special promotions at independent retailers and restaurants all across the community.
Stay Involved
Civic participation is the strongest tool South Pasadena residents possess. The City Council will reconvene for its next meeting on Thursday, July 30, at 5:15 p.m. inside the City Council Chambers.
Immediately following that session at 6:00 p.m., the city will host a crucial community meeting regarding the ongoing SB 79 housing plans. Residents are highly encouraged to attend and lend their voices to the development of the city’s alternative transit-oriented plan.
