Officials Push to Halt Lot-Split Housing in Fire-Prone Palisades
Pali leaders warn that SB 9 — a law that allows duplexes and lot splits on single-family parcels — is being used to push dense redevelopment in a hazard zone
Elected officials and community leaders are calling on state and city authorities to halt the implementation of Senate Bill 9 in Pacific Palisades, citing heightened wildfire risks and threats to public safety in the aftermath of January’s devastating fire.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park and the Pacific Palisades Community Council sent separate letters to Governor Gavin Newsom this week, warning that SB 9 — a California housing law that allows
duplexes and lot splits on single-family parcels — is being used by developers to push dense redevelopment in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone still reeling from disaster.
In her letter dated July 28, Park said developers are exploiting emergency recovery measures to rebuild destroyed single-family homes as multi-unit structures under SB 9. “Given that over 5,000 homes were destroyed by the fire, the redevelopment of even a portion of these sites utilizing SB 9 could lead to an unforeseen explosion of density,” she wrote, warning that Pacific Palisades has “limited ingress and egress” and cannot safely support such rapid growth.
The PPCC, in a parallel letter signed by its executive committee, issued a more urgent plea. The group called for an immediate pause on all SB 9 permit approvals in the Palisades until the city completes long-overdue evacuation route analyses required by state law. The community, they said, remains vulnerable to future wildfires, and increased housing density could lead to catastrophic delays
in emergency evacuations.
“Residents were forced to abandon their cars and flee on foot during the Palisades Fire — at existing density levels,” the letter said. “We are facing government action that creates exponentially greater public safety risks.”
SB 9 was signed into law in 2021 to address California’s housing crisis by allowing small-scale density increases in traditionally single-family neighborhoods. But Park argues the law was never meant to apply in disaster-stricken areas. “When SB 9 was adopted… it was never intended to capitalize on a horrific disaster,” she wrote.
The PPCC proposed a range of emergency and legislative responses, including temporarily freezing permits, enforcing fire mitigation standards similar to those adopted in other cities, and carving out exemptions for high-risk zones like the Palisades. The group also cited a recent Los Angeles Times investigation that highlighted gaps in the city’s wildfire evacuation planning, despite mandates from AB 747, a state law enacted after the
deadly 2018 Camp Fire.
“Time is of the essence,” the PPCC said, noting multiple SB 9 applications are already in process. “The community has suffered enough from the singular, devastating conditions caused by the Palisades Fire.”
Executive Orders Aim to Accelerate
Palisades Rebuilding With Streamlined Permits, Pre-Approved Housing Plans
The executive orders are designed to remove regulatory hurdles and reduce rebuilding costs
Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday issued two new executive actions aimed at expediting the rebuilding process in Pacific Palisades, more than six months after a series of devastating wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes across the area.
Emergency Executive Order No. 8 expands local streamlining measures for rebuilding homes that are not identical to those lost, aligning the city with Governor Gavin Newsom’s statewide emergency order suspending key environmental reviews. The new directive allows qualifying single-family home projects to bypass local Coastal Act requirements, provided they meet objective zoning standards and environmental protections.
The second action, Executive Directive No. 13, establishes a pilot program for
pre-approved standard housing plans. The city will create an online library of codecompliant, architect-submitted designs that residents can use to fast-track the permitting process. An open call for architects and builders to contribute to the plan library is expected within 30 days.
“While our recovery is on track to be the fastest in modern California history, I know that nothing will erase the unimaginable pain and loss that the Palisades community has endured,” Bass said in a statement.
“With debris removal months ahead of expectations and construction underway, we continue to push forward in our all-out effort to get families home.”
City officials say more than 85% of affected residential properties have already been cleared of debris, and nearly 300 rebuilding plans have been approved. The first reconstruction permit was issued just 57 days after the fires began in January, a pace officials say is twice as fast as postdisaster recovery timelines following the Camp and Woolsey Fires.
The executive orders are designed to
remove regulatory hurdles and reduce rebuilding costs. Projects that qualify under the new order must meet specific criteria, including adherence to zoning rules, proximity limits from coastal bluffs, and biological impact restrictions. Affected homeowners have seven years to obtain a building permit and three years to complete construction once approved.
Additional provisions in the orders waive certain permit requirements, including
discretionary haul route approvals and low-impact development mandates for homes built before 2002. The city is also instructing departments to accelerate inspections and utility releases for rebuilds. The virtual plan library is expected to include an online portal for submissions, a dashboard for approved designs, and tools for homeowners to track their permitting status.
Photo: Traci Park
Photo: Office of Mayor Karen Bass
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Palisades Council Backs Transparency in Rebuilding Authority Debate
The motion supports a letter to Senator Ben Allen and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath which urged more study and resident engagement
The Pacific Palisades Community Council unanimously endorsed a motion on July 17 urging greater transparency and community involvement in the proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority, aligning with concerns raised by Councilwoman Traci Park.
The motion, sponsored by the PPCC Executive Committee, supports Park’s July 8 letter to Senator Ben Allen and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, which called for more study and direct engagement with residents before granting the authority significant powers.
The PPCC emphasized the need for inclusive recovery, stating, “We strongly
support the principles of transparency and robust public engagement, and agree that community input and involvement in the governing structure must be an integral part of any path forward.”
The council also highlighted the importance of data from its commissioned NORC survey and input from the PPCC Rebuild Committee, noting, “Our priority is to ensure the recovery moves forward in a way that is inclusive, informed and responsive to the needs of Palisades residents.”
The stance comes as Senator Allen paused Senate Bill 549, which would establish the authority to manage postwildfire reconstruction, following criticism over limited community input. Park had warned of potential local control erosion, while Allen cited the need for broader support, delaying the bill until next year.
The PPCC’s position reflects ongoing tensions over the authority’s role in financing, land purchases, and resilient building standards, with the council advocating for neighborhood-specific considerations.
Wildfire Price Gouging Protections Extended for Displaced Residents
These provisions limit rent increases and hotel rate hikes during a declared emergency and prohibit landlords from evicting tenants
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to extend price gouging protections for residents displaced by the January wildfires, as housing instability persists months after the disaster.
The motion, introduced by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Kathryn Barger, extend protections through August 30. These provisions limit rent increases and hotel rate hikes during a declared emergency and prohibit landlords from evicting tenants in order to re-list properties at higher prices.
“Seven months in, our residents still need protection from predatory practices that make housing even more unaffordable and unattainable in these times of crisis,” Horvath said in a statement following the vote. “By extending these protections, we’re helping ensure that every family has
the chance to rebuild without fear of being priced out.”
Barger echoed the sentiment, adding that “no one recovering from disaster should face eviction or be priced out of temporary housing.”
The Board first declared a local emergency on January 7 after a series of fast-moving wildfires — including the devastating Eaton Fire — destroyed thousands of homes and forced widespread evacuations. That declaration triggered anti-gouging rules that cap price increases at 10% above pre-disaster levels for goods and services, including housing.
Tens of thousands of residents remain displaced, and many who signed shortterm leases in the wake of the fires now face possible rent increases of 50% or more if protections expire. According to a May report from the Los Angeles Times, rental prices in neighborhoods adjacent to the burn areas are rising significantly faster than countywide averages.
Earlier this month, the Board also advanced an urgency ordinance aimed at strengthening enforcement of its price gouging laws. If adopted, the ordinance would empower the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to issue fines, secure restitution for victims, and proactively investigate suspected violations.
State law allows local governments to renew emergency anti-gouging protections every 30 days when necessary to protect life, property, or public welfare. County
officials say complaints of price gouging have been increasing and justify the continued extensions.
The protections apply countywide and will remain in effect unless rescinded or allowed to expire after August 30.
County Fund Provides $250K for Malibu & Topanga Businesses Hurt by Wildfire Road Closures
The program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for eligible businesses located in ZIP codes 90265 and 90290
In response to financial losses caused by wildfire-related road closures, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath announced the launch of a $250,000 relief fund this week to support small businesses in Malibu and Topanga.
The Malibu-Topanga Business Interruption Fund, created in partnership with the Department of Economic Opportunity, opened for applications on July 23. The program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for eligible businesses located in ZIP codes
90265 and 90290 that suffered a decline in revenue due to closures along Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard following the Palisades Fire.
“These closures have been tough for our communities,” Horvath said. “We’re getting them the support they need to stay afloat.”
Businesses must demonstrate a revenue loss of at least 10% between January and May 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, directly tied to reduced customer access. Eligible applicants must be registered, brick-and-mortar small businesses with less than 100 employees and annual revenue under $6 million. Certain home-based businesses requiring in-person services may also qualify.
Documentation requirements include proof of ownership, revenue, business location, employee count, and good standing. Applicants with insurance coverage for the loss are ineligible.
Palisades Pitstop Reopens as Luxury Car Wash
The business, which includes eco-friendly and solar-powered options, aims to offer a “fresh start” with each clean
Palisades Pitstop, a luxury car wash and detailing business, has reopened to the public, operating Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, according to an announcement from owner Kevin Miller.
Located behind Garden Cafe at 15233 1/2 La Cruz Drive, the locally owned business offers hand-wash services and trash bin cleaning, welcoming customers via online booking at PalisadesPitstop.com, by phone at 310-573-9274, or through walk-ins.
Miller expressed enthusiasm about the reopening, emphasizing the business’s commitment to quality. The facility provides a range of services, including a $125 Luxury Wash with interior cleaning, a $250 monthly Unlimited Luxury Wash Club, a $300 Mini Detail with premium wax, and a $500 Full Detail featuring clay bar treatment. Gift cards are also available for purchase online.
The business, which includes eco-friendly and solar-powered options, aims to offer a “fresh start” with each clean, as noted on its website.
ICE Raids Disrupt Labor in Fire Recovery Efforts: REPORT
Immigrants, comprising about 75% of Los Angeles County’s construction workforce with nearly half undocumented, per a Bay Area Council analysis, are central to the effort
Immigrant workers vital to rebuilding neighborhoods devastated by January’s wildfires in Los Angeles are staying home amid fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, according to a recent report from the New York Times.
The crackdown, intensified under the Trump administration, has slowed recovery in areas like Pasadena, Altadena, and Pacific Palisades, where over 16,000 buildings were damaged. For months, laborers have cleared toxic ash and debris from fire-ravaged homes, but recent detentions near job sites have sparked panic. On June 11, six individuals were arrested outside a Pasadena donut shop, prompting workers at a nearby job center to abandon their shifts, NYT reports. Jose Madera, director of the Pasadena Community Job Center, told NYT, “They’re living in fear, unsure if they’ll return home from work.”
Immigrants, comprising about 75% of Los Angeles County’s construction workforce with nearly half undocumented, per a Bay Area Council analysis, are central to the effort. Yet, raids have thinned crews, with some workers leaving jobs mid-task or staggering shifts to avoid detection. In Altadena, a real estate agent noted to NYT that half a crew vanished after federal agents questioned workers, while in Pacific Palisades, contractors reported reduced turnout despite no local raids.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath criticized the policy, stating to NYT, “At a time when our communities need healing, the administration is creating a man-made crisis.” Even legally resident workers, like a DACA recipient in Altadena, express dread of profiling. Contractors lament delays, with some workers opting out daily due to safety concerns. Federal officials, including DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, deny targeting fire recovery zones, focusing instead on “criminal illegal aliens.”
However,
enforcement.
videos of workplace arrests have fueled perceptions of broader
CineMalibu Returns with Free Outdoor Movie Nights at Malibu Bluffs Park
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back chairs, with seating available on a firstcome, first-served basis
CineMalibu, a beloved summer tradition since 2005, will kick off its free outdoor movie nights on Saturday, July 26, at Malibu Bluffs Park, with a screening of Shrek
The screenings, beginning at sunset with pre-movie activities starting an hour
earlier, aim to unite residents and visitors of all ages in a community celebration.
This year’s event will feature food vendors D’Amore’s Pizza Truck and Bug and Bear’s Cannoli, adding to the familyfriendly atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lowback chairs, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Alcohol is prohibited, and dogs must be kept on leashes and under control, officials noted.
Now in its 20th year, CineMalibu offers a nostalgic outdoor cinema experience, fostering community spirit along the coast. The series continues a tradition of accessible entertainment, with plans for additional screenings to be announced.
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The Third Place Reinvented: Why Kavahana Is Becoming LA’s New Favorite Hangout Spot
In a city full of coffee shops that close too early and bars that don’t cater to the sober (or sober-curious) crowd, Kavahana is carving out something new: a place to be. More than just a spot for drinks, work, or weekends, Kavahana is quickly becoming Santa Monica's go-to "third place" for any occasion—from morning coffee to date nights.
Tucked on Pico Boulevard just blocks from the beach, Kavahana blends cozy café comfort with the spark of a community hub. It opens early, stays open late, and draws everyone from sunrise surfers to midnight creatives. But it’s not just the hours that make it special.
Kava Nectar: The Tingly Drink That Actually “Works”
At the center of the Kavahana experience is Kava Nectar, a natural, non-alcoholic beverage made from the root of the kava plant. Long used in ceremonial settings across the South Pacific Islands and Hawaii, kava is a family drink known for its relaxing, smile-inducing properties. Kavahana’s version, Kava Nectar, is cold-pressed, potent, and one-of-a-kind in the United States.
You’ll feel it. Most people notice a gentle tingle on the tongue, followed by a wave of relaxed energy and ease. Some describe it as “a mental massage” or “a hot tub for your mind.” Others just say it helps them feel genuinely happy, social, and present without alcohol or anything synthetic. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, the feeling doesn’t fade.
Kavahana’s signature cocktails showcase kava nectar with real, natural ingredients like mango, ginger, spirulina, and coconut cream. They’re delicious, effective, and zero-proof. This is one wellness drink you can actually feel working.
Not Into Kava Nectar Yet? No Problem. Kava not your thing (yet)? Kavahana’s menu goes beyond. Their Hawaiian-sourced Kona coffee is low-acid, smooth, and bold without bitterness. Or try hojicha, a roasted green tea from Japan that’s rich, nutty, and
naturally low in caffeine.
The team is friendly and happy to walk you through the options. You’ll probably try something new, and you’ll probably love it.
Food-wise, Kavahana offers island-inspired snacks that hit the sweet spot between satisfying and light.
Where You Can Hang Past 5 PM
With plenty of seating, fast Wi-Fi, and an unusual abundance of power outlets, it’s ideal for remote work, studying, or just posting up with a book. The vibe is welcoming and relaxed, with just the right level of background buzz. And unlike most cafés that close by late afternoon, Kavahana stays open late, often until 1 AM on weekends. It’s one of the only places on the Westside where you can hang out after dark without
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drinking alcohol.
Every week, Kavahana hosts free events like Open Mic Night (Tuesdays) and Comedy Night (Wednesdays). Regulars say it’s one of the most welcoming crowds in town.
Whether you’re there to perform, support a friend, or just unwind after work, there’s a sense of shared energy and presence that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Visit Kavahana
306 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405
Open daily (morning to late night)
Tuesdays: Open Mic Night
Wednesdays: Comedy Night
Website: Kavahana.com
Instagram: @kavahanabar
Going for the throat
Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing
By Linda Chase
World famous competitors hire special coaches to make sure they are ready for critical events. These experts concentrate on specific muscles that are vital for success.
Bill Schuman focuses on “two pieces of gristle in the throat.”
That’s how Schuman described vocal cords in a recent interview. For his young client, Golda Zahra, they aren’t for chatting on her phone or making Tik-Tok videos. She will need them to be flexible and powerful for her performance in Puccini’s Turandot in Disney Hall on Aug. 16.
Zahra is playing the role of Liu in a concert version of the opera being presented by Pacific Music Festival. The cast also features Nina Warren in the title role, Alfred Kim as Calaf and Andrew Potter as Timur, plus the Opera Chorus of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Dream Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Suk.
Schuman looks at Zahra’s voice as an instrument she plays, but which she can never put away. “She carries that Stradivarius around with her all day,” he said.
Nedra Zachary, who runs the prestigious Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition, introduced Zahra to Schuman, and he discovered, “Her voice was beautiful.”
But that’s just the beginning for an aspiring performer, according to Schuman, a vocal coach who’s worked with opera stars Marcello Giordani, Lisette Oropesa, Stephen Costello, Michael Fabiano and Angela Meade -- and also with singers from the worlds of Broadway and pop music, such as Judy McLane, Anne Crumb, Michael Jackson and Michael Bolton. Did Zahra have the three essential qualities that he knows are the keys to success — humility, discipline, and
different genres before wider audiences, Schuman notes that “he helped to increase the popularity of opera.” It was Pavarotti who popularized the aria “Nessun Dorma” (none shall sleep), which will be sung by Alfred Kim as Calaf in the third act.
Even though there isn’t a lot of action in a concert presentation of an opera, audiences can expect Zahra, who is a huge fan of horror films, to come up with something special when she sacrifices herself to love. It’s probably not exactly what Schuman has in mind when he tells his singers to “bring the drama.”
He has high hopes for his protégé. “She can go to the very top, if she wants it,” he
said, because “that mystical thing that we call charisma: Golda has it.”
Linda Chase is a freelance writer based in Santa Barbara specializing in the arts, travel and lifestyle. This feature is produced by the Journalism Arts Initiative, which is underwritten by donations from arts organizations and others interested in supporting excellence in arts journalism.
INFO BOX
“Turandot in Concert,” presented by Pacific Festival, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Ages 9 and older. Tickets, $33 to $105, including all fees, are available at www.TurandotConcert.com
curiosity? “Not everyone has the openness to learn,” he noted. As he began to work with her, he found that Zahra was willing to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices.
“Bill cleaned up the rough edges,” Zahra said in an interview. “He has the magic touch.”
Schuman’s approach asks the singer to seek out the emotion in music and make each aria unique. For Turandot, he’s preparing her for a role that requires fragility as well as vocal beauty. “She will be stunning as Liu,” he asserted.
The story of Turandot’s first performance is as dramatic as the opera itself. Puccini was interested in Asian motifs – one of his most famous operas is Madame Butterfly –and he chose a play with a Chinese setting by German writer Friedrich Schiller to set to music. “I have placed, in this opera, all my soul,” he told a friend, and then he died of throat cancer before he could finish it.
Another composer was hired to fill in the missing work, but on opening night at La Scala in 1926, conductor Arturo Toscanini dropped the baton in the final act and turned to the audience, announcing, “This is the end of the opera, because the Maestro died here.”
The version at Disney Hall will be minus elaborate opera sets and stage effects, but the unamplified singers will have the benefit of the venue’s world-renowned acoustics. Curved walls of vertical-grain Douglas fir and terraced vineyard-style seating create a space where someone sitting in the top row can hear a pin drop on stage.
It will be the third time Zahra has appeared at Disney Hall. In 2015, she sang there in the Spotlight Awards competition and became the youngest winner in the Classical Voice category. In 2024, she performed Liu there in a different production of Turandot.
Schuman supports Zahra’s goal of bringing new audiences to opera. “The music world has changed,” he asserts. “Opera needs to be made more accessible, especially for the younger generation.”
Recalling the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti being criticized for singing in
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