By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley Town Council and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger met recently at the CV Sheriff’s Station community room to swear in council member, third alternate, Dr. Joseph Suh.

In May, President Harry Leon accepted a letter of resignation from then-third alternate CVTC member Paul Barnes who moved out of state. Barnes had been elected in November 2021. Suh previously served on the CVTC for six years and left in 2016. The third alternate seat is a one-year term.

CVTC members took the opportunity to talk to Supervisor Barger about community issues including concerns about SB9 that went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. The law requires all cities to comply with new rules for housing, which includes allowing homeowners to construct two units on a single lot and splitting an existing home into two units.

Though many communities and cities have design review boards that have their own housing standards, Barger said SB9 supersedes any rules and regulations established by those boards.

Leon said that residents are concerned that SB9 allows more building in the area without regard to specific community issues, like wildfire risks. Barger said she is hearing the same concerns from many communities but since SB9 is a state law there is little counties can do.

CVTC has worked with the LA County Dept. of Regional Planning on SB9 and will continue to report on the conversation.