L.A. County Seeks State Approval to Relax Building Standards Post-Wildfires

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to ask the state of California to suspend certain building requirements in areas affected by recent wildfires. Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsay Horvath introduced the motion, arguing that “unprecedented strategies” are necessary to reduce barriers to rebuilding efforts.

However, critics argue that waiving these requirements could result in a decrease in the number of housing units, particularly if density requirements are lifted, and diminish state oversight of the rebuilding process. Some speakers at the public meeting expressed concern that these policies could exacerbate the climate crisis and impact the availability of rental housing.

“Ultimately, constituents who lost their homes in the fires expressed concern about their inability to afford replacing what was already there,” stated Lindsay Horvath during the meeting. “We are working to help them rebuild and return home as soon as possible.”

What Are the Board’s Proposed Changes?

The supervisors plan to send a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting the suspension of several building requirements. These include mandatory solar panels and battery storage systems for new single-family homes and low-rise buildings. The motion also asks the state to provide rebates for these technologies if they are still required.

In addition to this, the motion calls for waiving public input meetings on affordable housing projects in burned areas, as well as density requirements and Those in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The proposal also permits the public works department to amend, enter into or terminate contracts without a competitive bidding process to expedite infrastructure repairs.

“We are talking about solar energy and battery storage and rebuilding requirements,” said Kathryn Barger. “These requirements place an undue financial burden on homeowners who are already facing an uncertain recovery.”

“These temporary adjustments should not be misconstrued as efforts to undermine requirements and mandates across the county or state, but rather as practical measures to support urgent and equitable recovery,” added Barger.

Opposition Voiced Against the Motion

Janet Cox, the chief executive of Climate Action California, questioned whether some of the standards rollbacks might be premature. “Los Angeles needs a more inclusive, deliberative process to figure out exactly what the standards should be going forward,” she stated.

Furthermore, Courtney Alicia Miles of Abundant Housing L.A. criticized the motion, describing it as counterproductive to the task of rebuilding fire-impacted communities in a sustainable, equitable, and resilient manner. “Stalling things is not going to make anything easier or more affordable,” Miles added.

The Bigger Picture

The proposal by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors reflects a community in conflict between the need for rapid rebuilding and the necessity of sustainable recovery practices. While the motion aims to alleviate the financial burden on homeowners and expedite the rebuilding process, concerns about reducing housing units, State oversight, and exacerbating the climate crisis remain.

The proposed relaxation of building standards and suspension of public input meetings on affordable housing projects raise questions about the balance between swift action and thoughtful policy formulation. As the discussion continues, stakeholders from various backgrounds are working to ensure that both the residents’ needs and the broader community’s values are reflected in the decision-making process.

Conclusion

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors’ proposed motion to waiver several building requirements in wildfire-affected areas is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While the motion aims to expedite rebuilding efforts and alleviate financial burdens on residents, concerns about housing availability, state oversight, and the impact on the environment must be addressed.

As debates continue and discussions evolve, it remains to be seen how these policy decisions will shape the recovery and rebuild efforts in L.A. County’s wildfire-damaged areas. The core issue is how to best support the community and its residents through this challenging time.

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