SB 549 & the Eaton Fire:
What Pacific Palisades Residents Should Know
Could the county place low-income housing in fire-ravaged neighborhoods?
SB 549 establishes a Resilient Rebuilding Authority for LA County, giving it power to acquire land (including fire-damaged lots) and coordinate rebuilding-potentially including low-income housing-using property tax increment financing.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and others support this authority to avoid private investors snatching lots, ensuring displaced residents have priority.
Why are residents worried? Is it a county "land grab"?
Many residents oppose SB 549, seeing it as a threat to local control. One homeowner wrote:
"SB 549 would remove local input... giving unprecedented power... to rezone and redevelop without neighborhood oversight."
Others fear the authority could be unaccountable and slow down rebuilding. Community groups such as "Altadena Not for Sale" are organizing to preserve community-driven rebuilding.
What's happening on the ground?
- Permit delays: Only 5-25% of rebuild permits have been approved.
- Residents are forming hotlines, petitions, and town halls.
- A Blue Ribbon Commission supports the authority to avoid investor land grabs.
How to fight, respond, or get more info:
- Attend city/county meetings (Sen. Ben Allen, Sup. Lindsey Horvath)
- Join local groups like Altadena Not for Sale
- Track permitting at LA County Recovery websites
Diverse viewpoints:
- Supporters say it ensures equity and prevents displacement.
- Skeptics warn of unaccountable bureaucracy.
- Community advocates want land trusts and moratoriums.
Watch:
FOX 11 Eaton Fire Coverage:
