443 Homes Burned Inside City – No Count Yet In County. What You Need To Know:
Written by 991KBU on November 21, 2018
Malibu city officials released their first count of burned houses … and it looks like the city has lost about 10 percent of its residential buildings to the early November fire.
At least 443 houses burned.
And the city is releasing its rebuilding checklists for residents.
Malibu city officials have held their first public briefing on fire issues … yesterday in the parking lot at City Hall.
City attorney Christi Hogin did all the talking … the city manager Reva Feldman’s voice is shot.
And there’s a lot to cover.
First …
What kind of permit for a rebuild??? Hogin says ..
NEWSCART 77894 HOGIN TO BE CLEAR : 17 QQQ: COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.
“To be absolutely clear, rebuilding your home is not the same thing form a planning point of view.
“When you are rebuilding a home, you are exempt from a coastal development permit.”
That means no story poles … no variance applications … no Planning Commission ordeal … for a rebuild.
Unless a homeowner wants to build a different home.
And that is an option …. but that means getting a coastal development permit.
One important point … the city will allow a small expansion of an existing home that burned down … without a coastal development permit as part of the rebuilding process.
About 10% max … and the expansion has to be within setback requirements.
Residents are now allowed to build six foot fences … anywhere in Malibu … without permits.
But the big issue.
Debris removal requires a permit … and it is not permitted yet.
NEWSCART 77893 HOGIN DEBRIS QQQ BURNED AREA IS BURNED.
“We are having a hazardous waste assessment done before debris removal can take place.
“We send out workers who are trained in this from OES and they’re looking for ammunition, paint, we don’t expect to see much because we expect that everything in the burn area has burned.”
The debris assessment will begin November 26th … it’s not clear when it will be finished.
But the city will hire a company called California Recycling to remove debris from private property.
NEWSCART 77892 HOGIN CAL RECYCLE :20 QQQ IT WENT VERY SMOOTHLY.
“California Recycle will work with residents to sift wreckage … looking for momentos that may have survived.
“The experience in Ventura has been that the company got high marks for sensitivity and cooperation.”
Many also elect to hire their own clearing company… but again that needs city permits and those aren’t being issued for some time.
Putting a temporary mobile home on a lot will not require coastal development or zoning permits … but they will require a permit to ensure they have adequate septic tanks… water and electricity supplies.
——
And mobile homes will probably be allowed for up to four years … so long as the owner is making progress getting permits for actual home construction.
But no permanent mobile homes.
——
Los Angeles county firefighters have in the past refused to development on streets where there is not sufficient water supply meet county codes for firefighting.
Realtor Paul Grisanti said yesterday he is worried that the County requirements will prevent people from rebuilding.
The city attorney Christie Hogin says that may be an issue.
NEWSCART 77896 PIPES QQQ GOING TO BE FOLLOWING UP.
“I am going to say that it’s our belief that there isn’t anyone who’s not going to be able to rebuild, because I think we have a legal mandate to show that that happens.
“But I hear you telling me that there is going to be a big legal obstacle to that, so I am going to be following up.”
The L A County fire department makes the rules … the city has to negotiate.
Similar issues with septic tanks … with the state water board overseeing general issues.
The city attorney says she believes a functioning septic tank under a burn down house can still be used.
Maybe.
NEWSCART 77897 SEPTIC QQQ: NOT GOING TO HAVE TO BE UPGRADED.
“We are going to have a team of inspectors available, will get that straight for you.
“But we believe that by and large, the septic systems will have survived and they will not have to be upgraded.”
