Since the Eaton Fire devastated Altadena in January, not a single building permit for affected homeowners has been finalized, despite over 1,500 properties being ready for rebuilding. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and City Councilmember Traci Park addressed the issue during a tour of the area on Monday. They acknowledged significant delays and roadblocks in the rebuilding process.
Barger expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace, stating, “No building permits have been issued. That’s totally unacceptable.” She announced that a motion to streamline the permitting process would be voted on by the LA County Board of Supervisors to create a centralized permitting authority. This authority would aim to expedite the process and address the inefficiencies in the current system.
Altadena resident Margot Stueber shared her frustration with the slow process. She submitted plans to rebuild her home on March 2, expecting a two-week turnaround for a first review and a 30-day permit issuance. However, the involvement of multiple departments has extended the wait time to at least three months.
In the Altadena area, the county has received 173 zoning reviews and initiated the permit process for 23 of them. Only two temporary housing applications have been approved. Similar delays are occurring in the Pacific Palisades, which was also affected by wildfires in January.
The rebuilding process is further complicated by new wildfire hazard maps released by California fire officials. These maps expand the areas where wildfire building codes apply, affecting more than 500 additional homes in the Eaton Fire footprint. Los Angeles County must adopt these maps by July 22, which will impose stricter building requirements on affected properties.
Despite these challenges, many Altadena residents are determined to rebuild. They are considering using fire-resistant materials to better withstand future wildfires, balancing these costs with their insurance settlements.
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