www.palisadesnews.com
April 2026 September 2025
Palisades Council Weighs Opposition to Data Shows Rebuilding Progress in PostSunset Boulevard Development Proposal Fire Palisades Concerns over Pali Builds’ September 1 analysis. The numbers indicate to Processing times for new building density, a surge inparking permitting permits averaged around 63-77 days in summer months, up from 31 and evacuation activity, particularly days in March, suggesting growing safety was discussed administrative demands as applications in recent months increase. Pali Builds, founded by locals atNewApril 9 meeting to fill gaps in official data, continues data from Pali Builds, a community platform tracking recovery The Pacific Palisades Community from the Januaryopposing wildfires, shows Council considered a proposed significant rebuilding momentum in mixed-use development along Sunset Pacific Palisades, 179 new home Boulevard during with its April 9 board permits approved since the over fires and 160 meeting, citing concerns density, lots soldand generating nearlyin$478 million parking public safety a high firein sales, risk area.highlighting a robust but uneven The project, housing market.planned for 15113 Sunset Blvd., rebuild a structure The would numbers indicate a destroyed surge in in the Palisades Fire.particularly The proposal seeks permitting activity, in recent multiple months. waivers from city development standards, including increased building From January to August 2025, Los height, reduced parking requirements Angeles approved 179 new homes in and open space. the significantly 90272 zip less code, with approvals Accordingover to council documents, the accelerating time: only two in March developer permission to but jumpingis torequesting 76 in August, according build up to 40 feet —exceeding the 30foot limit under the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan—and to eliminate all required commercial parking. Plans also call for reducing residential parking and shrinking open space requirements from
tracking until the LA Mayor’s Office provides comprehensive figures. Home sales data through August 1 reveals 160 lots sold since the January 7 fires, totaling $477.7 million. The market shows stark disparities by area: Area 8 led with 11 sales at an average $10.6 million and median $10.2 million, contributing $116.4 million in volume, while Area 2 had 16 sales averaging $1.7 million. Area 5 saw the most activity with 48 sales averaging $2.1 million. Buyer composition from January to July included 85 individuals (53%), 64 entities (40%), and 11 650 square(7%), feet topointing 50. unknown to substantial The council’s Land in Use institutional investment the Committee recovery. has recommended opposing the project, pointing to community concerns raised during a February public meeting. Residents and committee members cited the lack of commercial parking, limited residential parking due to mechanical lift systems and the project’s increased size
and mass as key issues. Council leaders also expressed broader concerns about cumulative impacts as more property owners seek to rebuild along the Sunset Boulevard corridor following the fire. While acknowledging the importance of rebuilding and revitalizing the area, the council maintains a longstanding
position against increasing housing density in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Officials warn that higher density could worsen evacuation challenges in emergencies, noting that residents were forced to abandon vehicles during the 2025 fire due to congested roads.
Lawmakers Pass SB 79, Sparking Outcry Over Local Control Loss
Some decried the bill, now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, for ignoring traffic, The business is infrastructure, led by founderand environmental, publicKedeshian, safety concerns Kim
along with city leaders and officials, rallied against the bill. “SB 79 is 100 times worse than existing laws,” Pacific Palisades Residents Association President Jessica Rogers said, warning of risks in wildfire-prone areas like the Palisades, citing inadequate evacuation routes and infrastructure strain. In August, the Los Angeles City Council voted 8–5 in opposition to SB 79, led by Councilwoman Traci Park and Councilmember John Lee. Park, whose district includes the Palisades, called it a “Sacramento attempt to hijack local planning,” silencing residents. The Pacific Palisades Community Council also urged Newsom to veto the bill, referencing his emergency order limiting dense housing in fire zones. “This bill opens the floodgates for developers, displacement, and gentrification, with no regard for our neighborhoods,” Park said in a Sept. 13 statement, noting that Los Angeles has social thousands of housing units on media, Kedeshian saidunder her construction. SB 79, she argued, would Armenian heritage and early experiences undermine years of planning place in the kitchen helped shape hertointerest housing along transit she corridors. in baking. Although pursued a legal Days she aftersaid its she passage, Park introduced career, continued to develop a motion directing city recipes and experiment with departments baking over to conduct a comprehensive 90-day time.
Armenian-Inspired K Bakery to Open at Palisades Village who brings a By Zach Armstrong background in law California lawmakers approved Senate Bill 79, a controversial housing and a personal mandate some have decried for ignoring infrastructure and public safetyin concerns, history rooted in mid-September, prompting fierce opposition from Los Angeles leaders. food
The legislation, authored by Sen. Scott A new(D–San bakery Francisco), is slated toallows join the Wiener for lineup at Palisades Village, officials more multi-family housing with development announcing Thepermitting K Bakery taller will open near transit that stops, and in August. denser buildings closer to major transit The and business is led by founder hubs allowing transit agenciesKim to Kedeshian, whoown brings a background in build on their land. The bill also requires share ofhistory affordable law and aapersonal rootedhousing in food unitsfamily in newtraditions projects. to the venture. and August, crowd of Palisadians, In alate video shareda by the shopping center
Kedeshian said the idea for the bakery grew from creating cakes during the holidays, eventually leading her to pursue the project more seriously when an opportunity arose to lease a former restaurant space in the Palisades. The K Bakery will be located at 1061
Swarthmore Ave., according to the business’s social media page. Representatives for Palisades Village described the bakery as a “thoughtful addition” to the community, emphasizing its focus on quality ingredients and a detail-oriented approach to baking.
WESTSIDE LIVING SPRING 2026 Page 9 assessment of SB 79. The motion instructs the Departments of City Planning, Transportation, and Housing, along with the City Attorney, to analyze the bill’s effects. The report will include
maps of areas within a quarter-mile and half-mile of transit stops subject to SB 79, impacts on rent-stabilized housing, historic districts, coastal zones, and high-risk fire and tsunami areas.