Mayor Bass’ New Executive Order Aims to Hasten Rebuilding LA
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued an executive order to allow thousands of owners to rebuild faster after their homes and businesses burned down.
The New Order
The mayor’s new Executive Order 1 requires city departments to complete project reviews within 30 days and waive discretionary hearings under zoning rules, the Los Angeles Times reported. Because it only applies to property in the city of Los Angeles, it mostly affects victims of the Palisades fire.
The order applies as long as property owners don’t increase the size of their homes and businesses by more than 10 percent.
Task Forces Established
The mayor’s order also establishes task forces for debris removal, mudslide mitigation, and to help apartment development nearing completion receive temporary occupancy approval to put more homes on the market.
“This unprecedented natural disaster warrants an unprecedented response that will expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses and communities,” Bass said in a statement. “This order clears away red tape and bureaucracy to organize around urgency, common sense and compassion.”
State Executive Order
The mayor’s move came a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order waiving regulations under state environmental laws to speed up rebuilding in the Palisades, Altadena, and fire-devastated areas across Los Angeles County.
Bass had praised Newsom’s decision after signaling last week that a similar order would come from the city.
Bureaucratic Red Tape
Long before the firestorm tore through L.A. and foothill neighborhoods last week, analysts criticized the city’s lengthy and bureaucratic building permit process as a major roadblock to home development.
While Bass and Newsom’s orders aim to streamline construction, brambles of red tape that hold up development in the Palisades and beyond mean that details of the government’s response – including the number of available staff to process permits, or even exemptions from permits – will determine its outcome, according to the Times.
Real Estate Brokers’ Call to Action
The orders came after the city’s top real estate brokers called for Bass and Newsom to do more to address restrictive laws, regulations, and building codes that could stymie rebuilding efforts.
Reactions from Experts
Azeen Khanmalek, executive director of Abundant Housing LA, called Bass’ order a positive development in the process of rebuilding L.A.
Given the scale of the devastation, he called for Los Angeles to do more to fast-track new housing developments both in and out of areas affected by the fires.
“We were already in a housing crunch before and now there are thousands of new households and families looking for places to live,” Khanmalek told the Times.
Read more
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“Disaster capitalism”: As LA fires rage, vultures circle the ashes
Conclusion
The new executive order aims to speed up the rebuilding process in Los Angeles, but the success of this effort will depend on the city’s ability to navigate the complex bureaucratic process and provide adequate resources to affected property owners.
FAQs
Q: What does the executive order require?
A: The order requires city departments to complete project reviews within 30 days and waive discretionary hearings under zoning rules.
Q: What are the restrictions on property owners?
A: Property owners must not increase the size of their homes and businesses by more than 10 percent.
Q: What are the goals of the task forces established by the order?
A: The task forces aim to facilitate debris removal, mudslide mitigation, and temporary occupancy approval for apartment developments nearing completion.
Q: How will the city’s building permit process be affected by the order?
A: The order aims to streamline the process, but the actual impact will depend on the number of available staff to process permits and potential exemptions from permits.
