Some residents in Malibu are frustrated over the slow process of obtaining a permit to rebuild after the Palisades Fire.
The Los Angeles Times reported that only four permits have been issued in Malibu, compared to hundreds by the city of Los Angeles, and in Altadena as well.
A man who works in construction said KNX News’ Jon Baird he’s heard several people express their frustration with the permit process.
“When we go to the markets, get Gatorades for the guys, that's all we hear is that some people are just frustrated and they're constantly waiting for those permits to come in,” he said.
A resident told Baird she thinks it's ridiculous how slowly the permits are being issued here in town.
“I hear one permit has been issued on the beach out of 322 homes, which were burned to the ground,” she said. “So, what is that going to take us, 300 years to get the rest built?
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Abe Roy, who was appointed as Malibu’s first Rebuild Ambassador, quit out of frustration. During a Malibu City Council meeting, he said the city was “prioritizing politics over permits” and said that Mayor Marianne Riggins needed to resign.
Malibu’s Community Development Director, Yolanda Bundy, told Baird that there are several complicated issues involving permits, like steep terrain. But she vowed that things would get better.
“The complexities that we're facing with coastal challenges, your technical challenges, it's making it a little bit difficult to have a rapid process,” she said. “We are going to get you back home. That is a commitment from the city. Your staff is working hard, and you're going to see improvements.”
Bundy also said that as of Wednesday morning, five more permits were issued.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok