Podcast Summary: Upzoned - Why LA Is Struggling To Rebuild 6 Months After Wildfires

Podcast Information:

• Title: Upzoned
• Host/Author: Strong Towns
• Description: Join Abby Newsham, Chuck Marohn, and occasional surprise guests to discuss in-depth one big story from the week in the Strong Towns conversation, right when you want it: now.
• Episode: Why LA Is Struggling To Rebuild 6 Months After Wildfires
• Release Date: August 6, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Upzoned, host Chuck Marone steps in for Abby Newsham to delve into the challenges Los Angeles faces six months after the devastating wildfires that swept through the region in January 2025. The discussion centers around an insightful article from Vox titled "Why It's Taking LA So Long to Rebuild," exploring the interplay between environmental regulations, such as California's CEQA, and the slow rebuilding process. Chuck is joined by Edward Erfert, the Director of Community Action at Strong Towns, to unpack the multifaceted issues hindering recovery efforts.

The Aftermath of the Wildfires

Chuck Marone opens the conversation by outlining the scope of destruction caused by the January 2025 wildfires:

• Impact: Nearly 48,000 acres burned, over 16,000 structures damaged or destroyed, and thousands of families displaced.
• Government Response: Governor Newsom's suspension of environmental regulations aimed at expediting rebuilding.

Notable Quote:

"We're now six months later and only a fraction of homeowners have even received permits, let alone started the rebuilding process."
— Chuck Marone [00:51]

Environmental Regulations and Rebuilding Delays

The discussion shifts to the role of environmental laws in the reconstruction process:

Edward Erfert shares his experiences from Florida, highlighting the complexity of bypassing land use requirements post-disaster:

• Observation: Attempts to relax environmental laws, such as CEQA, intended to accelerate rebuilding, have not yielded the expected results.
• Challenge: Local permitting processes remain bottlenecked, delaying reconstruction despite reduced state-level regulations.

Notable Quote:

"A well-intentioned relief to a policy becomes highly political and it adds more confusion to this process."
— Edward Erfert [04:18]

Chuck Marone critiques the effectiveness of environmental regulations like CEQA:

• Point: Overregulation in existing urban areas doesn't necessarily translate to better environmental outcomes.
• Example: Environmental reviews in developed neighborhoods often become procedural hurdles without substantial environmental benefits.

Notable Quote:

"The environmental review process... doesn't actually address the local level review process of getting homes out for permit."
— Edward Erfert [04:50]

Permitting Process and Institutional Bottlenecks

The conversation delves deeper into the specific challenges of the permitting process in the wake of disasters:

• Permit Backlog: Out of 16,000 damaged structures, only about 800 homeowners have applied for rebuilding permits, with merely 200 permits issued in six months.
• Average Approval Time: Approximately 55 days per permit, exacerbating the slow rebuilding pace.

Notable Quote:

"If somebody just on their honor is going to build on an existing footprint, could we cut zoning out?"
— Chuck Marone [15:11]

Edward Erfert emphasizes the overwhelmed state of municipal offices:

• Issue: Lack of sufficient staff and resources to handle the surge in permit applications post-disaster.
• Solution Suggestion: Streamlining the permitting process by assuming compliance with existing frameworks and utilizing modular housing solutions to expedite reconstruction.

Notable Quote:

"We're going to field observe that as it gets put in. And if there's a legal thing to it, the residents can write a form that they're going to waive away liability of a yard flooding or basement flooding because we're going to deal with the urgency of getting people into housing."
— Edward Erfert [19:12]

Comparative Analysis with Other Disasters

The hosts draw parallels between LA's wildfire aftermath and other disaster responses, such as Hurricane Katrina:

• Modular Housing: Edward references the evolution of FEMA trailers post-Katrina, advocating for their modern equivalents to facilitate quicker housing solutions.
• Supply Chain Issues: The scarcity of materials and labor further bottlenecks rebuilding efforts, driving up costs and delaying construction.

Notable Quote:

"So you may only get 40% of the value of what it would cost to build your house today, or you might be in litigation for the next five years waiting for the insurance company to pay."
— Edward Erfert [28:44]

Chuck Marone highlights the inefficiency of the current system in responding to urgent housing needs:

• Point: Traditional permitting processes are ill-equipped to handle the rapid influx of rebuilding demands following a disaster.

Notable Quote:

"It continues to baffle me that we are so bad at responding to them and so bad at helping move things along afterwards."
— Chuck Marone [30:09]

Lessons from Chisholm, Minnesota

Edward Erfert shares a successful case study from Chisholm, Minnesota, illustrating effective post-disaster reconstruction:

• Strategy: Community-driven rebuilding with stringent fire-resistant requirements.
• Outcome: Rapid reconstruction and long-term resilience, demonstrating that proactive planning and community cohesion can overcome regulatory and logistical hurdles.

Notable Quote:

"So all the downtown buildings had to be made out of brick. It was a pact that they all were going to do. It wasn't until another 15 years until they could afford a fire brigade."
— Edward Erfert [32:42]

Reimagining Rebuilding Processes

The hosts discuss potential reforms to accelerate rebuilding while maintaining essential safety and environmental standards:

• Simplifying Permits: Reducing bureaucratic steps for rebuilding on existing footprints and utilizing pre-approved modular units.
• Resource Allocation: Enhancing the capacity of municipal offices by increasing staff and leveraging technology for faster permit reviews.
• Community Involvement: Encouraging local input and flexibility to rebuild in a manner that respects both the community's needs and environmental considerations.

Notable Quote:

"We just need to get out of our own way and let people do these things."
— Edward Erfert [33:55]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a call to action for policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders to re-evaluate and streamline the rebuilding processes in disaster-stricken areas like Los Angeles. By addressing regulatory bottlenecks, enhancing resource allocation, and embracing innovative housing solutions, LA can better recover from wildfires and build more resilient communities for the future.

Notable Quote:

"Release it for the next year or six months and see what gets built. There are at least 800 people that are willing to get that started of 16,000 homes. Right. And let's observe what happens."
— Edward Erfert [34:18]

Additional Insights and Recommendations

Beyond the immediate rebuilding challenges, Chuck and Edward touch upon broader themes related to urban planning and disaster preparedness:

• Design Thinking: Incorporating principles from urban design and architecture to create more sustainable and resilient communities.
• Observation and Adaptation: Encouraging stakeholders to regularly assess and adapt building codes and land use policies based on evolving environmental realities.
• Community Resilience: Fostering strong community networks that can support rapid recovery and mutual aid in the wake of disasters.

Notable Quote:

"We have to sit back and realize that the way that our construction techniques are today... through that, we make compromises in… unfortunate, they're not going to be like the Romans and last forever."
— Edward Erfert [25:01]

Final Thoughts: This episode of Upzoned meticulously dissects the intricate challenges Los Angeles faces in its post-wildfire rebuilding efforts. Through expert insights and real-world examples, Chuck Marone and Edward Erfert shed light on the critical need for regulatory reform, efficient permitting processes, and innovative housing solutions to ensure faster and more resilient recovery in the face of natural disasters.