Ten months after wildfires destroyed over 700 structures in Malibu, California, only two reconstruction permits have been issued to residents seeking to rebuild. The slow pace of recovery has led to frustration among local residents and officials.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, out of the 720 structures that were lost in the January fires, just 69 have received initial plan approval. Only two have obtained building permits, which are required before construction can begin. The situation has prompted political controversy in Malibu and calls for accountability among city leadership.
The city’s volunteer rebuilding ambassador, Abe Roy, resigned at a recent City Council meeting, expressing his dissatisfaction with the progress. “Our work is far from done,” Roy told the City Council. “Two permits issued in nearly ten months is an abomination by any standard.”
Some activists and community members have suggested that Mayor Marianne Riggins should consider stepping down due to what they describe as overly burdensome rebuilding requirements. The slow permit process continues to be a point of contention between residents and local government.
Despite earlier promises by state and local politicians to expedite permitting following the disaster, many residents feel those commitments have not been fulfilled.
