Los Angeles Mayor’s New Orders for Pallisade Reconstruction

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced two new executive orders intended to expedite reconstruction efforts in Pallisade, following the January wildfire that devastated the area.

The Mayor’s Office explained that:

Six months after the destructive wildfire, Mayor Bass has implemented executive actions aimed at speeding up rebuilding processes at Pallisade by the Pacific Ocean.

• Emergency Executive Order 8 simplifies the permitting procedure for those wishing to rebuild beyond 110%. This aligns with recent emergency orders from California Governor Gavin Newsom, which include a suspension of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and broaden the scope for single-family housing projects under the California Coastal Act.

• Executive Directive 13 kicks off a pilot program for pre-approved standard home designs, offering standardized blueprints that comply with existing codes. This initiative includes creating virtual libraries of these designs to facilitate faster project approval.

The city also welcomes architects to submit their designs for pre-approval, which will then be added to the virtual libraries, growing over time.

“We are on a path to be the fastest in modern California history. However, we recognize that we can’t erase the immense pain and loss that the Pallisade community has faced,” Mayor Bass remarked. “As we move forward, we’re making strides to get families back home, ahead of the ongoing construction with these new steps aimed at further streamlining the rebuilding process.”

While some residents welcomed the idea of pre-approved designs, others on social media expressed skepticism, suggesting that Bass may be aligning with her “Smart City LA 2028” initiative, favoring certain designs.

This announcement follows criticism regarding the sluggish pace of reconstruction, particularly concerning the promised quick processing of permits for those who lost their homes in January.

Bass received praise for the quick debris removal, a process undertaken mostly by federal agencies and private contractors. She mentioned that permit processing had improved, though 900 permits were still pending.

Previously, an executive order by Bass halted permit fee collections for Pallisade residents, but this initiative faces delays as the city council has yet to approve any fee waivers, facing opposition from other city areas.