The OC Streetcar and SB 79: Transit and Landuse in Orange County, CA

SB 79 went into effect on July 1, 2026 in Urban Transit Counties. Orange County won't qualify until the OC Streetcar opens, which is currently planned for Q1 (March) 2027. This webinar focused on the interplay between the Orange County Streetcar and SB79, California's Transit-Oriented Development law. Melina Cabrera from OCTA presented an overview of the streetcar project, explaining that it will be a 4.15-mile route with 10 stops in Santa Ana, connecting to 13 bus routes and 64 train connections, including the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center. She discussed the current testing phase of the streetcar system and provided safety reminders for drivers and pedestrians. Rafa Sonnenfeld, a land use consultant, then explained how SB79 will affect Orange County once the streetcar opens in early 2027, noting that it will qualify the county as an urban transit county by adding 10 new stops to reach the required 16 rail stations. He detailed the law's requirements for Tier 2 transit-oriented development zones, including height and density limits around transit stops, and discussed the flexibility cities have during a transition period until 2030. Map of eligible stations and stops is available here. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?...