In Altadena more than 400 residents gathered on Tuesday at a town hall meeting to express their frustration over proposed rebuilding plans in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire.
The meeting revealed that 49% of properties in the burn zone have been purchased by developers, sparking concerns about the future of the community.
The debate centers around California housing laws, including Senate Bills 9 and 1123, which permit developers to build up to 10 housing units, as high as three stories, on a single residential lot. Residents fear that increased density could strain local infrastructure and permanently alter the character of Altadena. According to the New York Post, one resident stated, “We are a single-family residential community who lost everything and now we’re losing our community.”
The meeting also focused on Senate Bill 1090, introduced by State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, which aims to create a five-year moratorium on state density laws in designated Altadena ZIP codes. This bill seeks to protect fire-damaged properties from outside corporate real estate speculators. ABC7 reported that Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has joined efforts to exempt Altadena from these laws, emphasizing the need to preserve the community’s character.
Despite the intense discussions, the Altadena Town Council did not vote on the measure. Council Chair Nick Arnzen stated that public feedback would be considered before deciding their stance. Concerns were also raised about whether the proposed developments would provide affordable housing. Resident Kamala Almanzar questioned, “Are these developers really building affordable ‘starter’ homes?”
Governor Gavin Newsom has previously paused SB 9 in other fire zones, but no similar exemption has been granted for Altadena. As reported by Yahoo News, 70% of Altadena lies outside the state-designated high-fire zone, complicating efforts for similar protections.
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