Residents of Altadena are still grappling with the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire, but they’ve seen some positive movement this week. Lawmakers took steps to shield the community from developers as they begin to build new modular homes on the site of the iconic Bunny Museum, which was destroyed in the fire.
This Wednesday, California legislators unanimously endorsed Senate Bill 1090. Advocates of the bill contend that it’s a crucial measure to safeguard fire survivors from developers looking to capitalize on damaged neighborhoods before longtime inhabitants have the chance to recover.
Just the previous day, efforts to restore Altadena were visibly underway. Modular accessory units were being carefully placed by crane where the Bunny Museum once stood. This project, managed by Team AB Builds, aims to showcase how modular construction can support the rebuilding of entire neighborhoods.
This legislation and the construction efforts signify a notable shift for a town still recovering from one of the most devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.
State Sen. Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena), who proposed the bill, emphasized its community-driven intent. The bill seeks to provide temporary relief to Altadena from state zoning regulations, which generally permit multi-unit buildings on former single-family home sites. This time is meant for displaced homeowners to rebuild, rather than being overwhelmed by opportunistic investors.
Perez highlighted the need for safeguarding survivors from the pressure of predatory developers eager to take advantage of the tragedy. “This will allow them the time required to rebuild their neighborhoods without being exploited,” she said.
The backdrop to this proposal is the Eaton Fire that raged on January 7, 2025, consuming nearly 15,000 acres and obliterating over 9,400 structures, including around 6,000 single-family homes in Altadena alone.
Survivors, according to Perez, are facing growing risks from buyers who are ready to make lowball offers on damaged properties.
“These individuals need a chance to reconstruct our neighborhoods,” she reiterated. “This isn’t about creating new developments; it’s about allowing recovery after a disaster.”
Los Angeles County District 5 Supervisor Kathryn Berger noted that the legislation aims to protect the future of communities, ensuring the people who lived there before the disaster are the ones shaping it going forward. She stated her strong support for SB 1090, emphasizing that its purpose is to prevent predatory practices during the recovery process.
For many residents, the matter extends beyond zoning regulations. “Most of us have lost nearly everything, and some of us have endured the heartbreak of losing loved ones,” shared resident Laura Bertoldo Monteros. She mentioned that some residents are dealing with trauma and familial issues stemming from the event.
Despite these hardships, she expressed a strong desire to return. “We are determined to come back,” she asserted. “We can’t handle the additional pain of losing our community to outside greed.”
Resident Ania Haigwood added that maintaining Altadena’s unique identity is just as crucial as the rebuilding efforts. “This neighborhood has always had a distinctive charm, and that’s what makes it special,” she observed.
Advocates for the bill highlighted that survivors from the January 2025 Palisades fire received comparable protections because their area was classified as a high fire hazard zone—something Altadena was not granted.
SB 1090 has already successfully navigated the state Senate and is now headed to the Assembly Local Government Committee. If it passes there, it will move on to the full legislature and then onto Governor Gavin Newsom for final approval.
