City Hall Updates — and What They Mean for Sunland-Tujunga

Posted on 08/09/2026

City Hall Updates — and What They Mean for Sunland-Tujunga

Mayor Karen Bass’ office recently shared updates on affordable housing, environmental concerns, the entertainment industry and preparations for the 2028 Paralympic Games. While several of these developments are taking place outside Sunland-Tujunga, some raise issues that may be particularly relevant to our community.

Affordable Housing — Including Housing for Veterans While Preserving a Craftsman Home

Two new affordable housing developments recently opened in Koreatown.

One provides 80 new affordable apartments and is the first affordable housing project in Koreatown completed under Mayor Bass’ Executive Directive 1. Citywide, nearly 47,000 affordable housing units are in the development pipeline, with approximately 6,000 under construction.

A second project provides supportive housing for veterans and offers an interesting example of combining new housing with historic preservation. An existing Craftsman home was retained and restored as part of the development, rather than being demolished, with additional housing constructed on the property.

The project provides permanent housing and supportive services for veterans, while preserving the character of the original Craftsman structure.

Air Quality, Community Notification — and a Local Connection

Mayor Bass is calling for stronger air-quality monitoring, advance notification of cleanup activities and greater transparency following the Lineage warehouse fire affecting Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles.

Among the measures being sought are permanent odor monitoring, bilingual community updates, advance notification of cleanup activities that could affect nearby residents, and assistance for impacted residents and businesses.

These concerns may sound familiar to some Sunland-Tujunga residents.

Residents near the County-owned Zachau Canyon site off Sevenhills Drive in Tujunga have raised concerns about dust, odors, truck traffic and sediment transported to the site following the Eaton Fire. Residents have also expressed frustration about the lack of advance community notification when hauling operations began.

The circumstances in Boyle Heights and Tujunga are different, but both raise an important question for residential communities: How should government agencies notify, monitor and protect residents when debris or cleanup operations could affect nearby neighborhoods?

For Sunland-Tujunga, continued transparency, environmental monitoring and timely communication regarding the Sevenhills/Zachau Canyon site remain important community concerns.

Supporting Los Angeles’ Film & Entertainment Industry — Including Sunland-Tujunga

Mayor Bass recently toured the historic Cinerama Dome with film industry and City leaders as part of efforts to accelerate its restoration and reopening. The City is also working to make Los Angeles more film-friendly through streamlined approvals, reduced filming fees at some City locations and expanded assistance for productions.

This is particularly relevant to Sunland-Tujunga, which is no stranger to film and television production. Our community’s varied neighborhoods, foothill scenery, open spaces, distinctive properties and local landmarks have made the area a popular filming location over the years. Most recently, filming took place at Verdugo Hills High School just last week.

Film production can bring activity and economic benefits to local communities, while also requiring good communication and consideration for residents and businesses affected by filming. Efforts to keep production—and the jobs and businesses it supports—in Los Angeles therefore have a local connection right here in Sunland-Tujunga.

Looking Ahead to the 2028 Paralympic Games

Los Angeles recently marked two years until the 2028 Paralympic Games by recognizing the city’s important role in the history of wheelchair basketball.

The intersection of Victory and Balboa was officially designated “Wheelchair Basketball Square” in honor of veterans who helped pioneer the sport in 1946.

As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world in 2028, the designation is also a reminder of the important contributions veterans have made to adaptive sports and the Paralympic movement.

Information summarized from updates provided by the Office of Mayor Karen Bass, with additional local context regarding issues affecting Sunland-Tujunga.