Palisades News: Jan 2026

Judge Upholds Use of Calabasas Landfill for Palisades Debris Removal

Data Shows Rebuilding Progress in PostFire Palisades

The numbers indicate a surge in permitting activity, particularly in recent months

New data from Pali Builds, a community platform tracking recovery from the January wildfires, shows significant rebuilding momentum in Pacific Palisades, with 179 new home permits approved since the fires and 160 lots sold generating nearly $478 million in sales, highlighting a robust but uneven housing market.

A lawsuit followed a controversial decision by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last year to allow Calabasas Landfill to accept wildfire debris outside its typical service area

The numbers indicate a surge in permitting activity, particularly in recent months.

to Pali Builds’ September 1 analysis.

safely in using the Calabasas Landfill to dispose of debris from properties destroyed in the Palisades Fire.

Processing times for new building permits averaged around 63-77 days in summer months, up from 31 days in March, suggesting growing administrative demands as applications increase. Pali Builds, founded by locals to fill gaps in official data, continues tracking until the LA Mayor’s Office provides comprehensive figures.

In a decision issued this week, Judge Stephen Goorvitch denied a petition for writ of mandate filed by the city of Calabasas, which challenged the county’s emergency debris removal program and the landfill’s role in handling wildfire waste. The ruling found that hazardous materials were properly separated from fire debris and that county agencies complied with applicable laws and industry standards.

Home sales data through August 1 reveals 160 lots sold since the January 7 fires, totaling $477.7 million.

of Supervisors last year to allow Calabasas Landfill to accept wildfire debris outside its typical service area. In February, the board voted unanimously to temporarily waive geographic restrictions that normally limit the county-owned landfill to waste from a roughly 350-square-mile area, permitting it to receive debris from the entire Palisades Fire burn scar and potentially from other fires, including the Eaton Fire.

From January to August 2025, Los Angeles approved 179 new homes in the 90272 zip code, with approvals accelerating over time: only two in March but jumping to 76 in August, according

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ruled that the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts acted lawfully and

According to the ruling, debris was screened and sorted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors before being transported to the landfill. Testing reviewed by the court found no dangerous exceedances or the presence of toxic materials in debris sent to Calabasas Landfill.

The lawsuit followed a controversial decision by the Los Angeles County Board

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 unknown (7%), pointing to substantial institutional investment in the recovery.

County officials argued the move was necessary to quickly remove potentially toxic debris from burned properties, citing risks posed by ash and contaminants left on residential sites. The board also approved temporary increases in daily tonnage limits at the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar and the Lancaster Landfill to accommodate fire-related waste.

The decision drew opposition from residents living near the landfills, who raised concerns about airborne ash, groundwater contamination and whether wildfire debris should instead be sent to hazardous waste facilities.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said the court’s ruling affirmed the safeguards used during the debris removal process and emphasized that oversight would continue as recovery efforts move forward.

Lawmakers Pass SB 79, Sparking Outcry

One Year After Deadly Wildfire, Palisades Marks Loss and an Uneven Recovery

Over

Officials point to faster permitting and aid, but many residents remain displaced as rebuilding continues

Local Control Loss

Some decried the bill, now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, for ignoring traffic, infrastructure, environmental, and public safety concerns

By Zach Armstrong

One year after a wildfire tore through Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities, killing 12 people, destroying thousands of homes and displacing families, residents, officials and community organizations are marking the anniversary with remembrance, reflection and an uneven recovery still underway.

Horvath said in a statement marking the anniversary, noting that while cleanup moved faster than after previous disasters and permits are being issued more quickly, many families are still struggling to return home.

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.

County officials report that rebuilding permits are now issued in an average of 28 days — about three times faster than before the fire — aided by streamlined processes such as AI-assisted plan checks and selfcertification. The county has also deferred or reduced fees, saving some households tens of thousands of dollars, and has distributed more than $51 million in direct aid to residents, workers and businesses.

recognize first responders and volunteers, and reflect on the community’s resilience. The event includes a private remembrance for families of those lost, followed by a public procession and community gathering.

At the state level, California officials say lessons from the wildfire have reshaped how the state prepares for future disasters.

Local leaders say rebuilding has accelerated over the past year, but acknowledge that many residents remain displaced, neighborhoods are fractured and emotional wounds resurface as the anniversary approaches.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said progress has been made in debris removal, rebuilding permits and financial assistance, but emphasized that recovery remains far from complete.

California lawmakers approved Senate Bill 79, a controversial housing mandate some have decried for ignoring infrastructure and public safety concerns, in mid-September, prompting fierce opposition from Los Angeles leaders. The legislation, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), allows for more multi-family housing development near transit stops, permitting taller and denser buildings closer to major transit hubs and allowing transit agencies to build on their own land. The bill also requires a share of affordable housing units in new projects.

In late August, a crowd of Palisadians,

“Recovery is not a straight line,”

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.

Still, the impact lingers. Community organizations say the anniversary has brought renewed grief for residents coping with loss, displacement and the slow pace of rebuilding.

In a message to members, leaders of American Legion Post 283 described the day as one filled with “grief, gratitude, anger, hope and exhaustion,” urging those affected to seek support in whatever way felt right. The post has served as a hub for displaced residents since the fire, hosting recovery meetings, resource fairs and support services.

“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 thousands of housing units under construction. SB 79, she argued, would undermine years of planning to place housing along transit corridors.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has expanded firefighting capacity, nearly doubling CAL FIRE staffing since 2019, deploying new fire engines to Los Angeles and growing what the state calls the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet. California has also launched its first statewide LiDAR mapping system to better track vegetation and fire risk.

“These fires showed us we need to move faster and smarter,” Newsom said in a statement.

Federal officials have focused on funding and preparedness. Rep. Brad Sherman said federal disaster aid has helped clear debris and provide temporary housing, but warned that future assistance remains uncertain without additional congressional action.

of the fire remains palpable, compounded by insurance disputes and delays that have slowed rebuilding for many families.

“We remember the lives lost, the homes destroyed and the community spaces that connected generations,” Bass said, adding that recovery will take years and require reforms in insurance and disaster response systems.

Days after its passage, Park introduced a motion directing city departments to conduct a comprehensive 90-day

The Palisades Long Term Recovery Group and the American Legion are hosting a daylong remembrance ceremony Wednesday to honor those who died,

“Natural disasters do not recognize state borders or political parties,” Sherman said, calling continued federal support essential for long-term recovery.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, marking the anniversary, said the trauma

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.

Despite the challenges, officials and community leaders pointed to signs of resilience: neighborhoods slowly rebuilding, businesses reopening and residents supporting one another even while living far from home.

Officials Set Opening Date for Palisades Rebuild Center, Detail Reservoir Cover Replacement Project

A recent town hall addressed resident concerns about traffic near the new center during school hours, potential power outages affecting pumps and firefighting water availability

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials provided updates Wednesday on a new one-stop permitting center for wildfire recovery and the replacement of the damaged Santa Ynez Reservoir floating cover during a virtual town hall hosted by Councilmember Traci Park.

The permitting and inspections support center is scheduled to open Feb. 2 at

16925 Marquez Ave., a former utility site near Marquez Elementary School. It will house services from DWP, the Bureau of Engineering, planning and other departments in one location to streamline rebuilding processes.

DWP plans to close its current utility recovery center at Tintina Nursery on Jan. 30.

On the reservoir, officials said the existing cover, damaged multiple times including after last year’s fire, must be proactively replaced to ensure reliability. The facility will be drained again, with construction starting late February and expected completion by year’s end.

Contingency measures include bypass hoses along the Westgate trunk line for quick repairs, six miles of temporary hose from Corbin tank to Tesoro tank, pre-staged emergency generators at pump stations and tanks, additional brush clearance and water sources for aerial firefighting.

DWP is exploring long-term alternatives to eliminate the floating cover, such as buried concrete tanks, above-ground storage or filtration plants, with community input planned.

Officials also noted undergrounding of

Planning Ahead: A Final Gift of Love

For many people, conversations about the end of life feel distant, uncomfortable, or easy to postpone.

There always seems to be more time — more trips to take, more milestones to reach, more moments are still waiting to unfold.

That’s what Shirley believed, too.

She and her husband had built a life full of love, laughter and shared adventures. They raised their children together, traveled whenever they could, and cherished celebrating holidays and family events. Like many couples, they never spoke about what would happen “someday.”

Loss felt far away. Time felt endless. Until it wasn’t.

When her husband passed unexpectedly, Shirley found herself facing dozens of decisions she had never imagined making alone. In the midst of her grief, she wanted one thing above all else: for his farewell to reflect who he truly was — not to be defined by his death, but by the life he lived.

been made.

With so many decisions required in such a short time, she saw the value of planning ahead — not for herself, but for her children. She didn’t want them to face the same uncertainty, stress and emotional weight she had carried.

So, Shirley made a choice. She met with Hillside again. This time to thoughtfully plan her own final arrangements. With time, clarity and guidance, she was able to express and document what mattered to her: her values, her wishes, and how she wanted her life to be remembered.

Now, she carries a sense of peace knowing her children will one day be spared difficult decisions, free to focus on love and remembrance instead.

Today, Shirley has returned to her routine. She goes to her weekly bridge class, meets friends for coffee and continues to honor her husband’s memory in quiet, meaningful ways. When she thinks about the future, she feels calm and secure, comforted by the thought that one day, she will rest beside the man she loved so deeply.

Planning ahead, she learned, isn’t about

preparing for loss. It’s about protecting the people you love.

At Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, advance planning is viewed as an act of compassion — a way to honor your life, your values and the family you leave behind.

Whether rooted in Jewish tradition or guided by other faiths and beliefs, every family is supported with dignity, care and respect.

“When we plan ahead, we spare our loved ones from making difficult decisions in moments of deep emotion,” says Rafael Ochoa, Hillside’s General Manager. “It’s a simple gift: clarity instead of chaos, peace instead of pressure, and space for healing when it matters most.”

With thoughtful guidance, families can make meaningful choices about services, traditions and personal touches that reflect a life’s story. These conversations, held in calm moments rather than times of crisis, allow wishes to be honored with intention and love.

For Shirley — and for many others — planning ahead becomes a final gift of love.

When the unexpected time came, she knew she would find comfort and clarity with the professionals at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Hillside is known as a Jewish and interfaith cemetery, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and values. Its mortuary proudly serves families of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds.

From the moment Shirley arrived, she felt welcomed, heard and supported. She met with one of Hillside’s Family Service Counselors, who didn’t rush her or overwhelm her with logistics. Instead, they listened.

Shirley shared stories about her husband’s devotion to their children, his curiosity about the world and his love of travel. She laughed through tears as she recalled his sense of humor and the way he always made strangers feel like friends. Through these conversations, a service began to take shape. Not as a checklist of tasks, but as a heartfelt tribute. Family and friends gathered to celebrate a life well lived, offering stories, comfort and connection. In that shared space, Shirley felt assured, surrounded by love and reminded she was not alone.

In the quiet moments that followed, Shirley realized something she hadn’t expected: how much easier this journey could have been if the plans had already

Developers Want to Build a Three-Story Project Near Palisades Village, PPCC to Review Proposal Next Month

Developers seek incentives and waivers, including increased height, an additional story and reduced parking, deviating from the local Pacific Palisades

Commercial Village and Neighborhoods

Specific Plan

The Pacific Palisades Community Council Land Use Committee is scheduled to hear details Feb. 11 on a proposed threestory mixed-use development at 15113 W. Sunset Blvd., invoking California’s Density Bonus Law.

The project, on a vacant lot in the commercial village area, would include ground-floor commercial space and six residential units, with one designated for very-low-income tenants.

Developers are seeking incentives and waivers under the state law, including increased height, an additional story and reduced parking, deviating from the local Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan.

The Density Bonus Law mandates benefits for qualifying projects with affordable units and supersedes local zoning, limiting city discretion.

The site is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, raising community concerns about added density impacting evacuation routes, particularly after the 2025 wildfire.

Committee members noted the project’s

scale alone may not significantly affect evacuation but highlighted risks from potential similar developments along the Sunset Boulevard corridor.

The council has historically supported lawful development while opposing density increases that compromise safety in fire-prone areas.

A representative from developer

consultant Crest Real Estate is expected to attend the 6 p.m. meeting to present plans and answer questions.

The committee has not taken a position on the project. Further reviews are anticipated by the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board and City Planning Commission, largely administrative under state law.

Chimney Memorial Debuts on Anniversary of Palisades Wildfires

The memorial features six salvaged chimneys tied to homes designed by prominent architects Richard Neutra, Eric Lloyd Wright and Ray Kappe

One year after the Palisades Fire tore through coastal Los Angeles, a new memorial is taking shape from the remnants left behind: freestanding masonry chimneys that survived the blaze.

As smoke cleared on Jan. 7, 2025, lone chimneys stood where homes once did, becoming stark markers of loss in a permanently altered landscape. Those structures now form the basis of the inprogress Palisades Fire Memorial, unveiled by House Museum on the fire’s one-year anniversary.

The memorial features six salvaged chimneys tied to homes designed by prominent architects Richard Neutra, Eric Lloyd Wright and Ray Kappe, as well

as residences connected to Hollywood actress Beryl Mercer, writer Louise Randall Pierson, the Higgins Brick family and other longtime residents. The homes spanned more than 90 years of architectural history, from Spanish Colonial Revival to Midcentury Modern design.

“These chimneys carry the architectural DNA of Los Angeles,” said Evan Curtis Charles Hall, artist and founding director of House Museum, who organized the nationwide effort to preserve them. “They also hold the memories of generations who gathered around their hearths and may never return to rebuild.”

Hall mobilized architects, preservationists and masonry experts beginning in early 2025 to save the chimneys from demolition. Each structure required a custom salvage strategy developed between February and May. From May through August, volunteer masonry teams from the Mason Contractors Association of California worked in active debris zones to dismantle and transport the chimneys ahead of cleanup crews.

The effort was led by Ean Frank of Significant Structures. The salvaged chimneys are now stored at House Museum’s Chimney Yard while organizers seek funding and approvals for a permanent memorial site in the Santa Monica Mountains.

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