REGISTER for our next monthly meeting on April 15.
Agenda can be found here. |
Special BHA Meeting with Army Corps of Engineers
This past Monday Colonel Brian Sawser from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), along with Councilwoman Traci Park, attended our special meeting to address the traffic on Sunset from the endless stream of fire debris removal trucks. Also on the call were representatives from the Mayor's office and Congressman Brad Sherman's office. (You can see the presentation here.)
This is what we learned about the Army Corps of Engineers' mission: -
ACE takes their orders from Cal OES and FEMA. The order is to clean up as quickly as possible.
- The haul route recommended by LADOT is not required and all legal routes can be used, which includes Sunset Blvd.
- Approximately 200 outbound trucks use Sunset daily.
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The majority of the total 1,200 outbound trucks from the burn area are using PCH north (approximately 20% use Sunset).
- The pace of the clean up is at its peak in April and May as ACE works to clean the majority of the lots by June.
- Debris removal operates seven days a week from 4:30 AM to 10 PM.
- Wet concrete does not have to be tarped.
Questions Not Answered
Colonel Sawser explained that the City has input and can add constraints, but orders come directly from the State/FEMA. BHA has spoken with transportation directors and deputies in the Mayor's office, Supervisor's office and Councilwoman Park's office to understand how the City can REQUIRE the haul route recommended by LADOT in February. We are still working to find a way to require and enforce that route. BHA will continue to engage with all of the government representatives and agencies to find a solution that mitigates this burden on Sunset. We are also looking at ways to keep trucks off the local side streets as they try to avoid the gridlock on Sunset.
After Phase 2
In its discussions with officials, BHA has raised the issue of traffic problems that will ensue once the lots are cleared for rebuilding. Delivery of building materials, consultants, contractors and construction crew will add more vehicle trips to Sunset. The Mayor's office understands this and is working on a solution that could include limiting hours to avoid peak traffic hours. Due to the use of PCH and the impact of its closure, the Mayor is also working with the State's Department of Transportation as well to alleviate the strain on Sunset. We will update you once we know something.
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NEW Expanded State Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
On March 24, Cal Fire released its final round of maps that expanded the state's fire hazard severity zones. What does this mean for homeowners? Cal Fire states, "The zones are used for several purposes including to designate areas where California’s defensible space standards and wildland urban interface building codes are required. They can be a factor in real estate disclosure, and local governments may consider them in their general plan." (see more about Zones 0 and 1 compliance in following section.)
This expansion affects Brentwood as the boundaries extend further south, below Sunset Blvd. There are three classifications: Moderate (yellow), High (orange), Very High (red). In addition to state requirements for defensible space zones, the additional homes in the moderate and very high fire zones will be subject to mandatory brush clearance (see this recent motion in City Council).
It is Important to know where your address lies on the new maps since your placement may have changed. Use this link and scroll down to Explore Fire Hazard Severity Zones to search for your home. For example, 149 S Carmelina was previously not in a fire hazard zone, but it is now a very high fire severity zone. (see image above).
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Zone 0 Will Eliminate Landscaping Within 5 feet of Your home
In 2020, the California State Legislature passed AB3074, which introduced Zone 0 (0-5 feet from a structure). While existing law required an individual who owned a home in a very high fire hazard severity zone to maintain a defensible space of 100 feet, this new bill required more intense fuel reductions between 5 and 30 feet around a home. Although required to have these guidelines in place by 2023, the Board of Forestry had not completed them. On February 6, 2025 Governor Newsom issued an executive order that directed the State Board of Forestry to accelerate its work to adopt Zone 0 regulation.
The Board of Forestry held a workshop on April 7 regarding these guidelines, seeking public comment. The new Zone 0 requirements include: (1) No landscaping materials that are likely to be ignited by embers are permitted within Zone 0. This includes, but is not limited to grass, ornamental or native plants, shrubs, branches, fallen leaves and tree needles, weeds, and combustible mulches including bark and woodchips. (2) No trees are permitted in Zone 0.
BHA attended the workshop and will be reporting back at our next monthly meeting on April 15 about how we can engage in this process before the Board of Forestry approves the regulations. |
Encampment at Barry Building
Many of you have written about this encampment on San Vicente Blvd in front of the empty lot next to the Barry Building. LAPD and Councilwoman Park's office are aware and are securing resources to help this individual get off the street shortly. |
Meeting Thursday, April 17, 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Topics to include: - $25,000 in tax credits for hardening your home
- What is happening with Zone 0.
- What steps are being taken to improve the insurance situation in Los Angeles.
To register, please visit this link. |
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