Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued an executive order to expedite the process of rebuilding homes and removing debris left behind by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Bass signed an order late Monday night to help residents in Pacific Palisades and other urban areas rebuild homes lost in ongoing fires and businesses lay the foundation for recovery. did. The mayor also updated the local state of emergency declaration for the same purpose. The order comes as dangerous wind conditions continue to threaten the city.
“This unprecedented natural disaster requires an unprecedented response to help rebuild homes, businesses and communities,” Bass said in a statement. “This order is the first step in cleaning up red tape and bureaucracy and organizing around urgency, common sense, and compassion. We will do everything in our power to bring Angelenos home.”
A similar order suspending some of California’s environmental requirements was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom over the weekend to speed recovery from the Los Angeles wildfires. This state order suspends permitting and review requirements outlined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act.
Here’s what will happen under the city’s order.
Form a task force to work with the California Department of Emergency Services and other county, state, and federal agencies to develop a coordinated debris removal program and reduce storm risk. Establishes a one-stop shop to streamline permit issuance in all affected areas, directs city officials to expedite review/inspection of all building permits, and provides discretionary review under the California Environmental Quality Act review the process to avoid “like-for-like” rebuilds and waive other discretionary rights. Directs the Department of Building Safety to expedite approvals, known as temporary certificates of occupancy, for 1,400 homes currently planned across the city. Requires all city agencies to prepare within one week a list of state and federal regulations and requirements and additional relief needed from state and federal funds for recovery.
Approximately 88,000 people remain under evacuation orders in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas, and many are waiting under evacuation orders. Containment numbers increased after the weekend, while area burned remained flat.
The approximately 24,000-acre Palisades Fire is 17% contained.
Authorities offered advice to thousands of evacuees planning to return to nearby areas later this week, but warned those in the warning zone to be wary of strong winds that could fan the flames.
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