Latest news with #DepartmentofBuildingandSafety
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
LA homeowners say their street is a 'perfect scenario for disaster' — and they demand the city take action
Drug use and multiple fires at an abandoned home in Los Angeles have created the 'perfect scenario for disaster,' residents say. 'What we've been dealing with here is so difficult, because we're always on the phone calling 911, calling our representatives, not getting a lot of answers,' a neighbor named Jeanne told CBS Los Angeles in a story published May 1. 'We are a group of neighbors whose lives have been severely affected.' Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) It's a problem that's been brewing for five years, according to the local broadcaster, after one Hollywood building was turned into short-term housing. Jeanne says things got worse after a nearby property was vacated. Here's what neighbors say has been going on, and how distressed properties can hurt home values. The abandoned home — two doors down from the short-term housing facility — provided a convenient setting for illicit activity, says Jeanne. 'It was the perfect scenario for disaster,' she said. 'The people that were buying drugs would then have a place to go over and do them.' Since November, the abandoned property has been on fire at least seven times, reports CBS Los Angeles. Jeanne, who is a mother and a photographer, says she's worried about embers sparking a blaze in her building. 'Our lives are in danger. Our property is in danger,' she said. 'I have 30 years of photo archives as a photographer that are now at my mom's, that I cannot bring here because I know they're at risk.' Read more: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Jeanne blames the city for failing to intervene, calling the situation 'a complete failure' on the part of local officials. Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez's office told CBS Los Angeles in a statement that it's working with the Department of Building and Safety to have the abandoned property declared a public nuisance. This may allow authorities to take action to protect residents, which can't come soon enough for some. 'We can't put up with it anymore,' Levi Freeman told CBS Los Angeles. 'It's not OK. I am terrified. I want these people removed from my neighborhood. I mean, what are we waiting for, for them to burn the whole place down?' The average home in Los Angeles's Hollywood neighborhood is worth over $950,000, according to Zillow. But being within close proximity of a property in disarray can have a number of negative effects, including on a home's value. The Center for Community Progress says that research has 'consistently shown' that abandoned and unkept properties lead to a reduction in value for surrounding properties. A report by the group cites multiple examples showing the impacts of vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties on communities. Public health is a top concern. Individuals living in derelict homes may be exposed to more toxins such as mold, lead and asbestos. The group also claims studies show vacant and run-down properties can attract criminal activity, including violent crime. As for homeowners' finances, the report says these types of homes in a neighborhood can both lower the value of surrounding properties and increase home insurance premiums. An increase in policy cancellations may be possible as If you see people trespassing on the property or engaging in illegal activity, call law enforcement and let them know what's going on. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
In milestone, L.A. approves first permits for rebuilding homes after Palisades fire
The city of Los Angeles has cleared the way for three Pacific Palisades homeowners to begin rebuilding on their properties. The approval of the projects, one to repair a damaged home and two for full rebuilds, according to the Department of Building and Safety, represents a key milestone in the recovery from January's devastating wildfires. The first permit was issued March 5, less than two months after the Palisades fire destroyed or majorly damaged more than 6,000 homes in Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas. 'We want this to be happening on your lot, too,' said Mayor Karen Bass at a news conference in the Palisades on Friday. Bass and L.A. County leaders have pledged to streamline permitting procedures for property owners who want to rebuild. The Eaton fire, which ignited the same day, displaced 6,900 households from Altadena and nearby communities. The city and county have opened one-stop permitting centers for fire victims and waived discretionary hearings and other zoning reviews for those who want to build new homes that are roughly the same size as they were before. The first permit approved was for repairs to a fire-damaged primary bedroom, bathroom and garage of a split-level home near Rustic Canyon, according to city records and Paul Lobana, the structural engineer for the project. The homeowner submitted plans to city inspectors Feb. 17. 'The process worked excellently,' said Lobana, who has been working on homes in Los Angeles for 40 years. 'The city was very courteous.' Construction has already begun on the repairs, Lobana said. Read more: Most Angelenos back tougher building codes, restrictions on homebuilding in wildfire zones, poll finds Gary Lionelli, his wife and teenage daughter were living in a newly built home near the Palisades' main commercial strip for less than a year before the fire destroyed it. The longtime property owners decided to submit the exact blueprints as before. 'We're not going to do anything that would delay us,' said Lionelli, a film composer. With the city approval in hand, Lionelli said he hoped to commence construction once debris clearing was finished on his property. He wanted to beat an expected rush of rebuilds and competition for labor and materials. 'My contractor said, you guys should just go while the gettin's good because we don't know what's going to happen six months from now with everyone getting their plans approved,' Lionelli said. Lionelli said that the previous teardown and rebuild of his home took more than three years and faced numerous delays. He said he was pleased the new permit came quickly but otherwise isn't enthusiastic about going through the process another time. 'To wrap my head around building this house again after we just did it, is not something I want to do,' Lionelli said. 'The first time I was very hands on. This time it's going to be, 'Wake me up when it's over.' ' The Times was unable to reach the owner or representatives of the third property to receive a permit, a full rebuild of a home on bluffs overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. Read more: Real estate losses from fires may top $30 billion, from old mobile homes to $23-million mansions As of last week, 72 property owners had submitted rebuilding applications to the city. An additional 98 property owners submitted blueprints to the L.A. County Department of Public Works for rebuilding in unincorporated areas — 76 in the Eaton fire zone and 22 in the Palisades fire area. The county is not approving plans until all debris clearing is complete on the property, said Celeste Hampton, a department spokesperson. State and local officials are still determining rebuilding rules, including if there will be any changes to building codes to incentivize or require more fire-resistant materials that might affect future permit approvals. This week, Bass updated an existing executive order clarifying that new accessory dwelling units would qualify for streamlined permitting and issued another order with plans to further expedite reviews for homeowners who choose to rebuild with all-electric systems and appliances. "Wildfires aren't going away," said Bass. "And climate-fueled disasters aren't going away, either." Kurt Krueger, the architect handling Lionelli's rebuilding project, said he's advising his clients not to wait before submitting applications to local authorities so they can get approved more quickly. He said that city reviewers have been reasonable in their requests to fire victims, but the lack of clarity on the regulations does present a risk. 'It makes it hard for homeowners because they want to get going but don't want to make the wrong decision,' Krueger said. Bass said at Friday's news conference that there are more than 1,000 property owners who have not opted in or out of the federal government's free debris removal service. Owners could face liens if they don't clear their properties, Bass said. Residents have 10 days to fill out the right of entry form on L.A. County's website. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
In milestone, L.A. approves first permits for rebuilding homes after Palisades fire
The city of Los Angeles has cleared the way for three Pacific Palisades homeowners to begin rebuilding on their properties. The approval of the projects, one to repair a damaged home and two for full rebuilds, according to the Department of Building and Safety, represents a key milestone in the recovery from January's devastating wildfires. The first permit was issued March 5, less than two months after the Palisades Fire destroyed or majorly damaged more than 6,000 homes in Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas. 'We want this to be happening on your lot, too,' said Mayor Karen Bass at a news conference in the Palisades Friday. Bass and L.A. County leaders have pledged to streamline permitting procedures for property owners who want to rebuild. The Eaton Fire, which ignited the same day, displaced an additional 6,900 households from Altadena and nearby communities. The city and county have opened one-stop permitting centers for fire victims and waived discretionary hearings and other zoning reviews for those who want to build new homes that are roughly the same size as they were before. The first permit approved was for repairs to a fire-damaged primary bedroom, bathroom and garage of a split-level home near Rustic Canyon, according to city records and Paul Lobana, the structural engineer for the project. The homeowner submitted plans to city inspectors on Feb. 17. 'The process worked excellently,' said Lobana, who has been working on homes in Los Angeles for 40 years. 'The city was very courteous.' Construction has already begun on the repairs, Lobana said. Gary Lionelli, his wife and teenage daughter were living in a newly built home near the Palisades' main commercial strip for less than a year before the fire destroyed it. The longtime property owners decided to submit the exact blueprints as before. 'We're not going to do anything that would delay us,' said Lionelli, a film composer. With the city approval in hand, Lionelli said he hoped to commence construction once debris clearing was finished on his property. He wanted to beat an expected rush of rebuilds and competition for labor and materials. 'My contractor said you guys should just go while the gettin's good because we don't know what's going to happen six months from now with everyone getting their plans approved,' Lionelli said. Lionelli said that the previous teardown and rebuild of his home took more than three years and faced numerous delays. He said he was pleased the new permit came quickly but otherwise isn't enthusiastic about going through the process another time. 'To wrap my head around building this house again after we just did it, is not something I want to do,' Lionelli said. 'The first time I was very hands on. This time it's going to be, 'Wake me up when it's over.'' The Times was unable to reach the owner or representatives of the third property to receive a permit, a full rebuild of a home on bluffs overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. As of last week, 72 property owners had submitted rebuilding applications to the city. Another 98 property owners submitted blueprints to the L.A. County Department of Public Works for rebuilding in unincorporated areas — 76 in the Eaton Fire zone and 22 in the Palisades Fire area. The county is not approving plans until all debris clearing is complete on the property, said Celeste Hampton, a department spokesperson. State and local officials are still determining rebuilding rules, including if there will be any changes to building codes to incentivize or require more fire-resistant materials that might affect future permit approvals. This week, Bass updated an existing executive order clarifying that new accessory dwelling units would qualify for streamlined permitting and issued another order with plans to further expedite reviews for homeowners who choose to rebuild with all-electric systems and appliances. 'Wildfires aren't going away,' said Bass. 'And climate-fueled disasters aren't going away, either.' Kurt Krueger, the architect handling Lionelli's rebuilding project, said he's advising his clients not to wait before submitting applications to local authorities so they can get approved more quickly. He said that city reviewers have been reasonable in their requests to fire victims, but the lack of clarity on the regulations does present a risk. 'It makes it hard for homeowners because they want to get going but don't want to make the wrong decision,' Krueger said. Bass said at Friday's news conference that there are more than 1,000 property owners who have not opted in or out of the federal government's free debris removal service. Owners could face liens if they don't clear their properties, Bass said. Residents have ten days to fill out the right of entry form on L.A. County's website.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Simpsons' producer's epic tree house may get the ax after 'absurd' fight with city
An epic treehouse that has stood in Sherman Oaks for 24 years now teeters on the brink of destruction after the city of L.A. declared the whimsical creation a crime. "The Simpsons" producer Rick Polizzi built the treehouse, dubbed Boney Island, in his front yard as a playhouse for his daughters. He says it's become a quirky local landmark loved by the neighborhood children and visited by celebrities such as Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera and Will Ferrell. But the city says it runs afoul of building permit requirements and has pursued criminal charges against him. For the last eight years, Polizzi has fought to keep the three-story structure standing, spending more than $50,000 on legal fees and zoning permits. Now, with a trial looming in March, Polizzi is preparing to tear it down rather than spend thousands more defending it in court. News of the tree house's imminent demolition has been met with public outcry; more than 6,000 people have signed a petition to try to save it. "If nothing happens in the next few days, that [demolition] is what's going to happen," Polizzi told The Times. "I'm not spending another $30,000 in court for a silly tree house. I know it means a lot to everybody, but I've got to stop the bleeding." Polizzi, a three-time Emmy Award-winning producer, built the structure with the help of fellow "Simpsons" producer Michael Mahan. Polizzi said it quickly became a favorite gathering spot in Sherman Oaks and, on Halloween, attracted thousands of visitors as part of an annual Boney Island display. Many of its fans are now speaking up to try to save it. "In all the deep sadness we have felt in the city plagues by fires and fears, you can't let this beautiful magical tree house, which brings so many people insane amounts of joy, stay?" wrote actor Missi Pyle in an Instagram post addressed to City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents Sherman Oaks. Raman said her office had worked hard with Polizzi and city departments in the past to try to save "this beloved staple of the Sherman Oaks community." "Our goal has always been to find a pathway to preserve the Treehouse, which has brought so much joy to neighbors and our office is willing to continue that work in cooperation with Mr. Polizzi," the council member said in a statement shared with The Times. The quirky structure is sandwiched among three gum trees and features a secret door, indoor bar, tiki torches, hammock, and rope-and-pulley system for hoisting up supplies. The L.A. Department of Building and Safety filed a code enforcement violation against Polizzi in 2017 on account of the tree house lacking building permits. The city then filed misdemeanor charges against him in 2020, which he has been trying to get dismissed ever since. A spokesperson for the Department of Building and Safety did not respond to a list of questions on how the structure could be brought into compliance, noting only that the case is with the city attorney's office. A spokesperson for City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto did not respond to a request for comment. The tree house has been featured in television shows "America's Got Talent" and "Treehouse Masters" as well as in a Make-a-Wish Foundation advertisement. Its fantastical design inspired an episode of "The Simpsons" where the animated family rebuilds their backyard playhouse after a fire. Former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and his daughter have visited the tree-top hang, Polizzi said. But despite the history, Polizzi says he's ready to give up the fight. After a pretrial conference went poorly this month, Polizzi said he lacks the financial and emotional stamina to battle the city with no guarantee of prevailing at his upcoming March trial. "It [pretrial] was just kind of infuriating. We didn't get to have our say on anything," he said. "The city attorney said they're not dropping the criminal case. It's either get all these permits or tear it down completely." His attorney, Paige Gosney, is dismayed by how the situation has unfolded. "It's an iconic structure in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood that's going to be gone for no reason other than bureaucracy run wild," he said. Gosney said he had worked closely with Polizzi to try to bring the structure into compliance with city building codes, a process that he says has proved to be a Herculean task. They were able to secure zoning permits in 2023 but have since found it impossible to secure building permits from the Department of Building and Safety given the stark differences between a tree house built for outdoor play and a single-family residence built for indoor dwelling. "Staff wanted soil reports, structural designs, Americans With Disabilities Act compliance and all this stuff that is just kind of absurd," said Gosney. "At the end of the day, this is a tree house, and it's an existing tree house that has been there for almost 30 years." Polizzi said he was willing to pursue the building permit process but balked at the fact that it would cost him thousands of dollars to have an architect draw up designs for a structure he had already built. He ultimately never submitted a building permit application. He did submit an application to the Department of Building and Safety for a waiver from the building permit requirement in April 2024, and says he hasn't heard back since. Polizzi said the city paid little attention to his tree house for the first 16 years of its existence, until a neighbor complained about the massive crowds the Halloween events were attracting in 2017. After the city was aware of the structure, it issued a code enforcement violation, he added. Polizzi said to avoid complaints about crowds, he relocated the Boney Island spectacle to Griffith Park and later to the Museum of Natural History, where it currently serves as an annual fundraising event. He maintains that the tree house is structurally sound and secured from potential intruders or squatters with multiple locking gates. "We've never had any problems in 24 years," he said. "We didn't lose a single shingle in the last windstorm we had with all the fires." Gosney, the attorney, said there are two pathways to saving the tree house — the city attorney's office could drop the case, or the Department of Building and Safety could approve the building permit waiver. "The whole thing is absurd," he said. "It is literally just a tree house. Let's use some common sense." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Simpsons' producer's epic tree house may get the ax after ‘absurd' fight with city
An epic treehouse that has stood in Sherman Oaks for 24 years now teeters on the brink of destruction after the city of L.A. declared the whimsical creation a crime. 'The Simpsons' producer Rick Polizzi built the treehouse, dubbed Boney Island, in his front yard as a playhouse for his daughters. He says it's become a quirky local landmark loved by the neighborhood children and visited by celebrities such as Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera and Will Ferrell. But the city says it runs afoul of building permit requirements and has pursued criminal charges against him. For the last eight years, Polizzi has fought to keep the three-story structure standing, spending more than $50,000 on legal fees and zoning permits. Now, with a trial looming in March, Polizzi is preparing to tear it down rather than spend thousands more defending it in court. News of the tree house's imminent demolition has been met with public outcry; more than 6,000 people have signed a petition to try to save it. 'If nothing happens in the next few days, that [demolition] is what's going to happen,' Polizzi told The Times. 'I'm not spending another $30,000 in court for a silly tree house. I know it means a lot to everybody, but I've got to stop the bleeding.' Polizzi, a three-time Emmy Award-winning producer, built the structure with the help of fellow 'Simpsons' producer Michael Mahan. Polizzi said it quickly became a favorite gathering spot in Sherman Oaks and, on Halloween, attracted thousands of visitors as part of an annual Boney Island display. Many of its fans are now speaking up to try to save it. 'In all the deep sadness we have felt in the city plagues by fires and fears, you can't let this beautiful magical tree house, which brings so many people insane amounts of joy, stay?' wrote actor Missi Pyle in an Instagram post addressed to City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents Sherman Oaks. Raman said her office had worked hard with Polizzi and city departments in the past to try to save 'this beloved staple of the Sherman Oaks community.' 'Our goal has always been to find a pathway to preserve the Treehouse, which has brought so much joy to neighbors and our office is willing to continue that work in cooperation with Mr. Polizzi,' the council member said in a statement shared with The Times. The quirky structure is sandwiched among three gum trees and features a secret door, indoor bar, tiki torches, hammock, and rope-and-pulley system for hoisting up supplies. The L.A. Department of Building and Safety filed a code enforcement violation against Polizzi in 2017 on account of the tree house lacking building permits. The city then filed misdemeanor charges against him in 2020, which he has been trying to get dismissed ever since. A spokesperson for the Department of Building and Safety did not respond to a list of questions on how the structure could be brought into compliance, noting only that the case is with the city attorney's office. A spokesperson for City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto did not respond to a request for comment. The tree house has been featured in television shows 'America's Got Talent' and 'Treehouse Masters' as well as in a Make-a-Wish Foundation advertisement. Its fantastical design inspired an episode of 'The Simpsons' where the animated family rebuilds their backyard playhouse after a fire. Former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and his daughter have visited the tree-top hang, Polizzi said. But despite the history, Polizzi says he's ready to give up the fight. After a pretrial conference went poorly this month, Polizzi said he lacks the financial and emotional stamina to battle the city with no guarantee of prevailing at his upcoming March trial. 'It [pretrial] was just kind of infuriating. We didn't get to have our say on anything,' he said. 'The city attorney said they're not dropping the criminal case. It's either get all these permits or tear it down completely.' His attorney, Paige Gosney, is dismayed by how the situation has unfolded. 'It's an iconic structure in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood that's going to be gone for no reason other than bureaucracy run wild,' he said. Gosney said he had worked closely with Polizzi to try to bring the structure into compliance with city building codes, a process that he says has proved to be a Herculean task. They were able to secure zoning permits in 2023 but have since found it impossible to secure building permits from the Department of Building and Safety given the stark differences between a tree house built for outdoor play and a single-family residence built for indoor dwelling. 'Staff wanted soil reports, structural designs, Americans With Disabilities Act compliance and all this stuff that is just kind of absurd,' said Gosney. 'At the end of the day, this is a tree house, and it's an existing tree house that has been there for almost 30 years.' Polizzi said he was willing to pursue the building permit process but balked at the fact that it would cost him thousands of dollars to have an architect draw up designs for a structure he had already built. He ultimately never submitted a building permit application. He did submit an application to the Department of Building and Safety for a waiver from the building permit requirement in April 2024, and says he hasn't heard back since. Polizzi said the city paid little attention to his tree house for the first 16 years of its existence, until a neighbor complained about the massive crowds the Halloween events were attracting in 2017. After the city was aware of the structure, it issued a code enforcement violation, he added. Polizzi said to avoid complaints about crowds, he relocated the Boney Island spectacle to Griffith Park and later to the Museum of Natural History, where it currently serves as an annual fundraising event. He maintains that the tree house is structurally sound and secured from potential intruders or squatters with multiple locking gates. 'We've never had any problems in 24 years,' he said. 'We didn't lose a single shingle in the last windstorm we had with all the fires.' Gosney, the attorney, said there are two pathways to saving the tree house — the city attorney's office could drop the case, or the Department of Building and Safety could approve the building permit waiver. 'The whole thing is absurd,' he said. 'It is literally just a tree house. Let's use some common sense.'
